Robert Schumann - Vier Gesänge {Four Songs}, op. 142 [With score]

-Composer: Robert Schumann (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856) -Performers I. and IV. : Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baritone), Christoph Eschenbach (Piano) -Performers II. and III. : Peter Schreier (Tenor), Norman Shetler (Piano) Vier Lieder {Four Songs} for Voice and Piano, op. 142, written in 1840 and 1852 [00:00] - I. Trost im Gesang [02:31] - II. Lehn' deine Wang' [03:21] - III. Mädchen-Schwermut [06:23] - IV. Mein Wagen rollet langsam Assembled from songs Schumann left unpublished at his death, the four lieder of Op. 142 were published in 1858 by Rieter-Biedermann and dedicated to Frau Livia Frege by the publisher. "Trost im Gesang" (Solace in song), by Justinus Kerner, laments the lonely existence of the night traveler. Just as the traveler wanders off the path because it is difficult to see, Schumann moves from the opening E flat major to a distant D major at the center of this ternary-form structure. The accompaniment, plodding and non-melodic, follows the rhythm of the melody but not the shape. "Lehn' deine Wang'" (Rest your cheeks [against my cheeks]), by Heinrich Heine (1797-1856), was originally intended for the Dichterliebe, Op. 48; set aside by the composer, it remained unknown until after his death. Opening in G minor, the song's narrator asks a lover to lay her cheek against his so their tears may mingle. The second half of the song modulates to a new key as the narrator talks of the lovers' inner flames and how he will die from love's yearning. Schumann conveys the sense of "yearning" by closing the song on the dominant, with no hint of resolution. In "Mädchen-Schwermut" (Girl's sadness), probably by Lily Bernhard, a girl weeps over her place in the joyless world. In E minor throughout, the song's melody progresses from repeated notes to a more passionate, arching shape in the second half, in which the accompaniment, too, becomes more animated. Schumann depicts the emptiness of the girl's heart by abruptly stopping the right hand flourish at the end of the song, leaving only the open chord in the bass. "Mein Wagen rollet langsam" (My carriage rolls slowly), by Heine, was also intended for the Dichterliebe, Op. 48. Schumann's accompaniment depicts the slow, uneven progress of the carriage through the forest, while the constantly descending voice part creates an atmosphere of low energy. In the second verse, three "shadows" come to the carriage and nod mockingly at the passenger; when they giggle and rush away the accompaniment becomes more animated. [allmusic.com]