More from the League of David - Schumann and the Sylphide

[Katharine Kanter]

Have just come across a lied by Schumann, Op. 36 no. 5, that deals, very exactly, with the Sylphide theme, 'Dichters Genesung', interesting use of tonality as it emerges from the night, into day. Bournonville would doubtless have read this lied, and it adds to one's thoughts about the ballet.


Owing to the lateness of the hour, and having, by some dreadful misfortune, been compelled to listen for some minutes to a counter-tenor whose initials are (....), could not resist sharing this peculiarly nasty poem by Heine with the readers of Dansomanie. Here goes, and hold yer hats on.


From the Cycle, "Heimkehr", number LXXIX

Doch die Kastraten klagten
Als ich meine Stimm erhob;
Sie klagten und sie sagten,
Ich saenge viel zu grob.

Und lieblich erhoben sie alle
Die kleinen Stimmelein,
Die Trillerchen, wie Kristalle,
Sie klangen so fein and und rein.

Sie sangen von Liebessehnen,
Von Liebe und Liebeserguss,
Die Damen schwammen in Traenen,
Bei solchem Kunstgenuss.

Before y'all protest - I merely thought it pertinent to this Schumann business - after all, it was he who founded the Davidsbuendler, and wrote "if one refuse to attack the bad, one is but lukewarm in defence of the good".