Elena Gerhardt sings Brahms
Posted in Lieder, Music on October 17th, 2010 by admin – 1 Comment
Elena Gerhardt in Leipzig, about 1900
Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht
Why does this song of Brahms’, from a poem by Heine, mean so much to me? Why has it meant so much for so many years? Even as I write, the song playing in the background grips my heart.
Most nineteenth century German Lied is about love–or unrequited love, or death. This song may be about all three. It’s hard at first to tell. It’s a triumph of suggestion, of atmosphere. Here’s the German text, followed by an English translation: read more »
