Part of Schumann's second volume of Romanzen und Balladen
and based on a Heine poem, "Der Beiden Grenadiere" ("The Two Grenadiers") is
one of Schumman's most famous songs. Heine's inspiration for the poem came from
witnessing the return of captured French soldiers from Napoleon's campaign in
Russia.
"Der Beiden Grenadiere" shows Schumann's at his best
as a ballad composer. After facing much criticism of "Taucher" and
"Einsamkeit," Schumann concentrated his efforts in "Der Beiden Grenadier" to
create a tightly unified artistic whole, stripped of any excess material. It is
through-composed with recurring melodic motifs to give it a greater sense of
unity. The overall setting of the Heine's poem is march-like and militant. Like
many other composers, Schumann was fond of the tune "Marseillaise," adopted as
the French national anthem in 1795. The march tune makes a brief appearance
toward the end of the poem when the grenadier remembers his promise to offer defense
from beyond the grave.
By Heinrich Heine
To France were marching two Grenadiers who had been captured in Russia. And when they came into German lands, they hung their heads in shame.
And here they learned the sorry tale that France was lost forever, her valiant army beaten and smashed, and the Emperor, the Emperor captured!
The grenadiers then wept together, hearing these pitiful tidings. One said, "Ah, the agony, my wound is a blaze of fire."
The other said, "This is the end, and gladly I'd die with you, but I've a wife and child at home, who without me will perish."
"To hell with wife, to hell with child, my thoughts are for things far higher; let them beg, if they've nothing to
eat- my Emperor, my Emperor captured!
"Grant me, brother, one
request: if I am now to die, take my body to France with you, bury me in French soil.
"The cross of honor on its red
ribbon you shall lay upon my heart; my musket give me in my hand, and buckle my saber on me.
"And so will I, quiet, lie and
listen, like a sentinel in my grave, until I hear the cannons' roar, the whinny and thunder of horses.
"Then will my Emperor ride over my grave, swords will be clashing and flashing; and armed, I'll rise up from the grave- to guard my Emperor, my Emperor!"
Classical Music | Baritone
Robert Schumann
Die Beiden Grenadiere Play
Recorded on 04/06/2005, uploaded on 03/21/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Die Beiden Grenadiere Robert Schumann
Part of Schumann's second volume of Romanzen und Balladen and based on a Heine poem, "Der Beiden Grenadiere" ("The Two Grenadiers") is one of Schumman's most famous songs. Heine's inspiration for the poem came from witnessing the return of captured French soldiers from Napoleon's campaign in Russia.
"Der Beiden Grenadiere" shows Schumann's at his best as a ballad composer. After facing much criticism of "Taucher" and "Einsamkeit," Schumann concentrated his efforts in "Der Beiden Grenadier" to create a tightly unified artistic whole, stripped of any excess material. It is through-composed with recurring melodic motifs to give it a greater sense of unity. The overall setting of the Heine's poem is march-like and militant. Like many other composers, Schumann was fond of the tune "Marseillaise," adopted as the French national anthem in 1795. The march tune makes a brief appearance toward the end of the poem when the grenadier remembers his promise to offer defense from beyond the grave.By Heinrich Heine
To France were marching two Grenadiers
who had been captured in Russia.
And when they came into German lands,
they hung their heads in shame.
And here they learned the sorry tale
that France was lost forever,
her valiant army beaten and smashed,
and the Emperor, the Emperor captured!
The grenadiers then wept together,
hearing these pitiful tidings.
One said, "Ah, the agony,
my wound is a blaze of fire."
The other said, "This is the end,
and gladly I'd die with you,
but I've a wife and child at home,
who without me will perish."
"To hell with wife, to hell with child,
my thoughts are for things far higher;
let them beg, if they've nothing to eat-
my Emperor, my Emperor captured!
"Grant me, brother, one request:
if I am now to die,
take my body to France with you,
bury me in French soil.
"The cross of honor on its red ribbon
you shall lay upon my heart;
my musket give me in my hand,
and buckle my saber on me.
"And so will I, quiet, lie and listen,
like a sentinel in my grave,
until I hear the cannons' roar,
the whinny and thunder of horses.
"Then will my Emperor ride over my grave,
swords will be clashing and flashing;
and armed, I'll rise up from the grave-
to guard my Emperor, my Emperor!"
More music by Robert Schumann
Maerchenbilder for viola and piano - I mov, op.113
Wehmuth, from Liederkreis, Op. 39
Novellette no. 6 in A Major: Sehr lebhaft mit vielem Humor, from Novelletten, Op. 21
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, from Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister
Carnaval, Op. 9
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
Presto Passionato in g minor, Op. 22a
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 105
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 (Carnival of Vienna)
Ich hab' im Traum geweinet (from Dichterliebe)
Performances by same musician(s)
Beau Soir
Cinq Mélodies Populaires Grecques
The Vagabond, from Songs of Travel
Alte Liebe
Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei, from I Puritani
Black Max
Feldeinsamkeit
O! du mein holder Abendstern, from Tannhäuser
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