Auf dem Wasser zu singen

Portrait of Franz Schubert by Franz Eybl (1827)

Auf dem Wasser zu singen (To sing on the water), D. 774, is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1823, based on the poem of the same name by Friedrich Leopold zu Stolberg-Stolberg.^[1]

The text describes a scene on the water from the perspective of the narrator who is in a boat, and delves into the narrator's reflections on the passing of time. The song's famous piano accompaniment recreates the texture of the shimmering waves (der Freude sanftschimmernden Wellen) mentioned in the third line of the poem and its rhythmic style in the 6/8 meter is reminiscent of a barcarole. Harmonically, the song as a whole and within each stanza traces a movement from the minor mode to the major mode: the song begins in A-flat minor and ends in A-flat major.^[2]

Franz Liszt transcribed the piece for solo piano, S.558.

The song was used on the album Barbra Streisand…and Other Musical Instruments (1973), and in the films The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986) and Battle Royale (2000).

Text

Mitten im Schimmer der spiegelnden Wellen Gleitet, wie Schwäne, der wankende Kahn : Ach, auf der Freude sanftschimmernden Wellen Gleitet die Seele dahin wie der Kahn; Denn von dem Himmel herab auf die Wellen Tanzet das Abendrot rund um den Kahn. Über den Wipfeln des westlichen Haines Winket uns freundlich der rötliche Schein; Unter den Zweigen des östlichen Haines Säuselt der Kalmus im rötlichen Schein; Freude des Himmels und Ruhe des Haines Atmet die Seel' im errötenden Schein. Ach, es entschwindet mit tauigen Flügeln Mir auf den wiegenden Wellen die Zeit; Morgen entschwinde mit schimmernden Flügeln Wieder wie gestern und heute die Zeit, Bis ich auf höheren, strahlenden Flügel Selber entschwinde der wechselnden Zeit.

In the midst of the shimmering, mirroring waves Glides like swans the rocking boat Ah, on softly shimmering waves of joy Glides the soul away like the boat. For from the heavens down on the waves Dances the evening glow round about the boat. Above the treetops of the western glade Beckons to us amiably the ruddy glow; Under the branches of the eastern glade Rustle the reeds in the ruddy glow. Joy of the heavens and peace of the glades Breathes the soul in the reddening glow. Ah, with dewy wings On the rocking waves, time escapes from me Tomorrow with shimmering wings Like yesterday and today may time again escape from me, Until I on towering, radiant wings Myself escape from changing time.

References

1. Wollenberg, Susan (2011). Schubert's Fingerprints: Studies in the Instrumental Works. Ashgate Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 140-942-122-8.
2. Schafer, Maureen (2002). "Illuminating Text: A Macro Analysis of Franz Schubert's "Auf dem Wasser zu singen"" (PDF). Musical Insights (Macromusic.org) 2: 97–104.

External links

• "Auf dem Wasser zu singen": Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• "Auf dem Wasser zu singen" on YouTube, animated score, Barbara Bonney, Geoffrey Parsons