Saturday, May 22, 2021
Another fascinating comparison is the various settings of “Der Wachtelschlag” (The Quail Song), based on a widely-known folk song from the 18th century in which the rhythm of the bird’s song constantly reminds the listener to invoke God.
Schubert’s setting is the voice of the merry quail, while Beethoven takes the poem far more seriously and from the perspective of the human being who listens to these worshipful injunctions. His storms are more tempestuous, his acclamations of God’s praise grander, and his pleas for God’s aid more urgent.
Schubert: https://youtu.be/wJt_gfNYEt0
Beethoven: https://youtu.be/9QpVgRIA_Dg
Ach! mir schallt`s dorten so lieblich hervor:
Fürchte Gott, fürchte Gott!
Ruft mir die Wachtel ins Ohr.
Sitzend im Grünen, von Halmen umhüllt,
Mahnt sie dem Horcher am Saatengefild:
Liebe Gott, liebe Gott!
Er ist so gütig, so mild.
Wieder bedeutet ihr hüpfender Schlag:
Lobe Gott, lobe Gott!
Der dich zu loben vermag.
Siehst du die herrlichen Früchte im Feld?
Nimm es zu Herzen, Bewohner der Welt:
Danke Gott, danke Gott!
Der dich ernährt und erhält.
Schreckt dich im Wetter der Herr der Natur:
Bitte Gott, bitte Gott!
Ruft sie, er schonet die Flur.
Machen Gefahren der Krieger dir bang:
Traue Gott, traue Gott!
Sieh’, er verziehet nicht lang.
----
Oh! From over there so sweetly it resounds:
Fear God, fear God!
The quail cries in my ear.
Sitting in the greenery, wrapped in stems;
It entreats the listener in shady realms:
Love God, love God!
He is so gentle, so kind.
Again it tells us in a lively cry:
Praise God, praise God!
Who allows you to praise him.
Do you see the wonderful fruits in the field?
Take this to heart, dwellers of the world:
Thank God, thank God!
Who feeds and keeps you.
He frightens you in the storm, The Lord of Nature:
Plead with God, plead with God!It calls; he spares the fields
If the threats of war make you anxious:
Trust in God! Trust in God!
He will not turn from you for long.
Schubert: Der Wachtelschlag, D.742
Beethoven: Der Wachtelschlag, WoO 129
Schubert: Der Wachtelschlag, D.742
Beethoven: Der Wachtelschlag, WoO 129
Do you like this post?
-
John Scialdone published this page in Daily Beethoven 2021-05-22 09:34:11 -0400