Du bist mein Mond - (2019)   

Friedrich Rückert

for medium voice and piano

 Marilyn Barnett, Studienleiterin, Staatsoper unter den Linden, gewidmet

 

Du bist mein Mond und ich bin deine Erde;
Du sagst, du drehest dich um mich.
Ich weiß es nicht, ich weiß nur, daß ich werde
In meinen Nächten hell durch dich.

Du bist mein Mond und ich bin deine Erde;
Sie sagen, du veränderst dich.
Allein, du änderst nur die Lichtgebärde,
Und liebst mich unveränderlich.

Du bist mein Mond und ich bin deine Erde;
Nur mein Erdschatten hindert dich,
Die Liebesfackel stets am Sonnenherde
Zu zünden in der Nacht für mich.

3 page3, circa 3' 30"

 

 

You are my moon, as I am earth to you.
You say it's you that circles me.
I do not know, I only know, that I am
Brightened by you through my nights.

You are my moon, as I am earth to you.
They say of you, that you change.
You alone change by reflections of light
Yet love me unchangingly.

You are my moon, as I am earth to you.
Only my earth shadow colors you,
As the torch of love is lit by the sun
To blaze in the night for me.

 

Paraphrase of the composer

 

 

A set of three strophes, begun alike and then changing as each comes to its cadence. After two, a related yet contrasting episode for piano alone echoes the progression, before the third strophe. Thereafter, a last strophe is answered with the episodic material, as the song ends with a last restatement of Friedrich Rückert's first line, and then a final "Du." You.

 

 

 

The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this art song score.

 

Du bist mein Mond