Nachtlied (Schumann)

Nachtlied
by Robert Schumann
Key	D minor
Opus	108
Period	Romantic
Genre	Tone poem
Text	Nachtlied by Friedrich Hebbel
Language	German
Composed	1849
Dedication	Friedrich Hebbel
Published	1852 (1852)
Duration	10 minutes
Scoring	Choir & Orchestra

Nachtlied, Op. 108, is a tone poem by Robert Schumann for choir and orchestra with text from a poem of the same name by Friedrich Hebbel. The work was composed in 1849 and published in 1852. The work runs approximately 10 minutes.

Characteristics

The work is scored for an eight-part mixed choir without soloists, and an orchestra. Although not explicitly segregated, the work has three distinct sections based on the verses of the original poem. In the first section, a polyphonic structure is established with competing melodic lines from the chorus. In the second, the instrumental writing becomes muddier and more urgent. In the final section, the piece abruptly modulates to D major from its original key in D minor and an echo of the word "Schlaf" is heard in the chorus. The end is dream-like, invoking a descent into sleep.

Relation to Hebbel

Schumann met Hebbel in 1847 and was honored by the visit, according to his diary. After finishing the tone-poem two years later, Schumann sent Hebbel a copy of the score and wrote, "I would have preferred to have enclosed an orchestra with winds blowing and strings bowing, along with a chorus in order to be able to lull the poet into lovely dreams with his own song.” Schumann marked his piece "Dem Dichter gewidmet" (dedicated to the poet).

Text

Rising and burgeoning night,
full of lights and stars;
in the eternal far-away distance
tell us: what has been awakened?

Heart and chest are tightening,
ascending, declining life;
I feel its gigantic web
weaving to displace me.

Sleep, now you come near me softly
like the nursemaid to the child,
and around the sparse flame
you draw a guarding circle.