Classical Music | Baritone

Recorded on 12/31/1969, uploaded on 01/22/2014

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Die Taubenpost

The only song of Schwanengesang on a poem of Johann Gabriel Seidl, Die Taubepost (The Messenger Pigeon) returns to the cheerful and joyous mood of Liebesbotschaft. Apart from his beloved, the poet tells of his messenger-pigeon that carries his tidings of love to her, and returns with hers. Yet, in the last stanza, he reveals the messenger-pigeon, which “never tires” and “never flags,” is but the longing of his own heart—the messenger of true love. Schubert’s setting is lively and full of the affectionate emotions of Seidl’s verse. The offbeat chords capture the poet’s fervent love while the decorative motifs that appear throughout the accompaniment suggest the flight of the messenger-pigeon itself. Yet, despite its simple theme of affectionate longing, Schubert’s music is remarkably varied and does not fail to capture attention. Divided into groups of two stanzas, with the seventh standing alone, the outer groups are set to similar music in G major. The middle group (the third and fourth stanzas), however, touch first upon the minor mode and then D major and B-flat major, as the poet ventures from playfulness to a momentarily touch of sadness. The last stanza, though it begins in similar manner as the others, quickly breaks from their pattern as its overflowing emotions cause the vocal melody to fragment. The final line (“Die Botin treuen Sinns” / “Love’s enduring messanger”), however, returns to the tender and lyrical intonations of the opening, and the song fades into a contented ending.      Joseph DuBose

This recording of Schwanengesang was made in the 1950s.

Courtesy of YouTube