Elisabeth Schumann /Gerald Moore,pno “Seit Ich Ihn Gesehen” from R. Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben

HMV DBS 9567
“Seit Ich Ihn Gesehen” (Since I Have Seen Him). From the Song Cycle, Frauenliebe Und Leben-A Woman’s Life and Love. For full text and translation scroll to the end).
Op.42. Elisabeth Schumann and Gerald Moore, (piano)recorded this in 1949, when the world famous Elisabeth Schumann was 61 years old. She had been performing for 40 years, and like all great artists, knew exactly how to use her aging voice to express the layered meanings/experiences of someone older.
During her long career she was known for her sparkling stage presence and was an audience favorite because of it! And she loved all dogs. Lots and lots of photos of Elisabeth Schumann with dogs of all kinds. Very funny ones too!
Robert Schumann (not related)wrote this Song Cycle in 1840. Text by the poet Chamisso
(Recorded 1949).
Played with a fine gage Burmese Colour Neeele (thorn)
www.burmesecol...
Audience: Grey cat-Aisling
Black cat-Aoife
Dog-HenryM
Also! About 2years ago the folks at “Immortal Performances” put out a 2 CD set of 8 famous performances of Robert Schumann’s Frauenliebe Und Leben, Op.42 by the Great (!) Sopranos from this period!
It is really fabulous!
They are: Lotte Lehman (1946)
Ria Ginster (1943)
Germaine Martinelli (1935)
Ninon Vallin (1930)
Elisabeth Schumann (1949)
Elisabeth Höngen (1950)
Sena Jurinac (1953)
Zara Dolukhanova (1953)
Lyrics and translations to this first poem are from the International Song Festival
Seit ich ihn gesehen
German source: Adelbert von Chamisso
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
Glaub ich blind zu sein;
Wo ich hin nur blicke,
Seh ich ihn allein;
Wie im wachen Traume
Schwebt sein Bild mir vor,
Taucht aus tiefstem Dunkel,
Heller nur empor.
Sonst ist licht- und farblos
Alles um mich her,
Nach der Schwestern Spiele
Nicht begehr ich mehr,
Möchte lieber weinen,
Still im Kämmerlein;
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
Glaub ich blind zu sein.
Since first seeing him
English translation © Richard Stokes
Since first seeing him,
I think I am blind,
Wherever I look,
Him only I see;
As in a waking dream
His image hovers before me,
Rising out of deepest darkness
Ever more brightly.
All else is dark and pale
Around me,
My sisters’ games
I no more long to share,
I would rather weep
Quietly in my room;
Since first seeing him,
I think I am blind.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

E. Schumann sings R. Schumann - no wonder this works…! ✨✨✨ Two excellent artists celebrate one of the songs from a famous Lieder cycle… how delightful and rewarding! ⭐️🎹⭐️ Thank you for the magnificent post! 🙏🍀

[@burmesecolourneedles4680]

Super, yet another prize gem! And thanks as always for the BCN mention Mary! 😺

[@marylittlefield9091]

Hi! I’m glad you liked this! Those Schumanns certainly do know their way around beauty!! I have Elisabeth singing the rest of the song cycle on 78s too🎉 The Immortal Performances’ 2CD compilation of different Recordings really is a treat to listen to too! Ninon Vallin is Uber-good!🎉