Gateway to German Lieder
13
Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur
Nature’s Nature’s Praise of God 1. Die Die Him Himme mell rühm rühmen en des des Ewig Ewigen en Ehrre, Eh The heavens extol the Eternal-One’s honor; 2. Ihr Schall pflanzt seinen Namen fort. their loud-sound communicates his name [forwards].
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Musical Background
Beethoven’s non-creedal religion was based in Nature and in ethics. His Gellert songs were were not written for liturgical worship services, but for amateur singers singers at home. They were a memorial to Countess Anna Margarete von 4. Vernimm ernimm,, o Mensch, Mensch, ihr göttlich göttlich Wort! ort! Browne, who with her husband had been hear, o human, their divine word! Beethoven’s Beethove n’s strong financial financia l supporter. She died unexpectedly on May 15, 1803; these 5. Wer trägt der Himmel Himmel unzählb unzählbar aree Sterne Sterne? ? songs were published about three months later. Who carries the heavens’ uncountable star tars? The style indication is Majestätisch und erhaben (majestic and solemn, or sublime). The 6. Wer führt die Sonn’ Sonn’ aus ihrem ihrem Zelt? time signature is alla breve, two beats to a meaWho leads the sun from its tent? sure, and the tempo must not drag. The song demands long phrases; if possible, the first line 7. Sie Sie komm kommtt und leuch leuchte tett und und lach lachtt uns uns von von ferne ferne,, of verse should be sung with a single breath. It comes and shines and laughs to-us from far-away. Like most lieder composers, Beethoven expected singers to follow the dynamics in the piano part. Both performers performers must understand 8. Und Und läuft läuft den Weg, Weg, gleich gleich als ein Held. Held. and runs the way same as a hero. that fortissimo means “very strong.” If they take it to mean “as loud as possible,” the result Christ Christian ian Fürcht Fürchtego egott tt Geller Gellertt (1715– (1715–176 1769) 9) will be too harsh. As the voice enters, the dynamic drops to the same forte level as will be used for the second phrase, “Ihr Schall. . . ” The piano Poetic Background must be subordinate to the voice, especially when dou“May all humankind perceive the greatness of God as notes. As always in Classical style, use use of Nature Nature shows shows it.” it.” A word for word translation translation of bling the same notes. the pedal should be minimal, but pedal use may be Gellert’s title is “The Honor of God from the Nature.” implied by the portato articulation from m19 and at least The initial image comes from Psalm 19: “The heavens through m26. declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his This song is not long, but Beethoven filled it with handywork” (King James Version). Later the psalm says grandeur and with surprises. Just after a wide leap in m4, m4, that “the sun. . . rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.” a diminuendo leads to an awesome hush on the word Beethoven set six of Gellert’s odes to music, and even Ehre. Modulations beginning in m11 depict the way the more were composed by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach turn. As the and Johann Adam Hiller. This poem, the most famous of poet admires the earth, sea and starry sky in turn. tonic key returns in m29, the sun rises and fills the sky Gellert’s Gellert’s odes, consisted of six four-line stanzas; the song with God’s light. uses only the first two. The odd numbered numbered lines have The power of Beethoven’s music has made this a coneleven syllables each, the alternating lines, eight. cert favorite in arrangements for mixed or male choruses. Line 2: fortpflanzen (literally, to plant forth) has several meanings including “to communicate.” Sources Erdkreis (literally, earth circle) means “the Line 3: Erdkreis whole round earth.” Text: Geistliche Oden und Lieder, 1757. 1757. This version: version: Line 4: Vernimm comes from vernehmen (to hear). Gellert’s Dichtungen. Leipzig: Bibliographisches Line 6: Zelt conveys two images: “dwelling” (in the Institut, 1891. Bible “tent” is often synonymous with “home”) and Music, autograph autograph lost. lost. First edition: Sechs Lieder von “canopy.” “canopy.” In German poetry the sky is often referred to Gellert, Opus 48, No. 4. Vienna: Vienna: Artaria, August, 1803. as a Zelt. Dedication to Count Count von Browne. Browne. Original key: C.
3. Ihn Ihn rühm rühmtt der Erdk Erdkre reis is,, ihn ihn preis preisen en die die Meer Meere; e; Him extols the earth-round, him praise the seas;
