Classical Music | Soprano

Recorded on 10/06/2010, uploaded on 02/28/2011

Musician's or Publisher's Notes
So lasst mich scheinen ("So let me seem") is one of three poems set by Schubert from Goethe's novel Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre ("Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship"). First set in April 1821, Schubert revisited the poem in January 1826, recasting its musical setting and later publishing it with two other of Goethe's poems as part of his 4 Gesänge aus 'Wilhelm Meister', op. 62. The poem is Mignon's response to seeing her transfigured body prior to her impending death. Schubert's strophic setting begins with a piano introduction in the key of B major. The peacefulness of the opening chorale-like melody immediately invokes Mignon's heavenly vision. During the second verse (and also again in the fourth), a unison passage between the voice and piano "transfigures" the B major tonality into a brilliant D major. However, as soon the image appears, it disappears, first into a dark D minor and then B minor before regaining the major tonic tonality.     Joseph DuBose

So lasst mich scheinen

So let me seem, until I become so;
don't take the white dress away from me!
From the beautiful earth I hasten
down into that solid house.

There I will repose a moment in peace,
until I open my eyes afresh;then I will leave behind the spotless garment,
the girdle and the wreath.

will cover my transfigured body.

Although I have lived without trouble and toil,
I still have felt deep pain.

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Courtesy of International Music Foundation.

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