Frau Holle in ihrem himmlischen Haus

 

Frau Holle in ihrem himmlischen Haus - (2013)    

Christian Morgenstern

for soprano and piano

 

Frau Holle in ihrem himmlischen Haus
schüttelt die Federbetten aus.
Das eine Kissen hat ein Loch -
und welches noch?
Das andre Kissen hat auch ein Loch -
und welches noch?
Das dritte Kissen hat auch ein Loch -
und welches noch?
Ach nein, jetzt hat keins mehr ein Loch.
O, ich glaube doch!
So? Glaubst du doch?
Je! Je! Je!
Der viele, viele, viele, viele Schnee!

2 pages, circa 2' 10"

Christian Morgenstern

 

The old woman that lives in the clouds that fly by
Shakes feather bedding out into the sky.
One has a hole spilling feathers below --
Whither do they blow?
Another one spills its crescendo --
A downy white flow?
A third sheds with a feathered heave-ho --
All flies to and fro?
Maybe not. Some feathers don't, you know.
Oh, I believe it though!
So? You believe you know?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Then it's really, really, really snowing, I guess.

 

rhymed paraphrase by the composer

 

 

The text is from Morgenstern's Nachlese zu den Kindergedichten, and is a charming conversation between child and adult stems from the German folk expression, "Frau Holle schüttelt die Betten aus." It is rather like such a silly expression in English, "raining cats and dogs," both and many others based on children's tales. The setting revolves around few chords, with gestures as strategies to extend them. The three center exchanges are made by a simple repeat and accompanying tempo change. For other settings of Morgenstern's tests, click here.

 

The score for Frau Holle in ihrem himmlischen Haus 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 piano-vocal score.

 

Frau Holle in ihrem himmlischen Haus