Minnelied (Love Song)

Composer: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Poem: Johann Ludwig Tieck (1773-1853) 

"Minnelied", op. 47 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1 

Composed in 1840.

This is a very simple songs composed by Mendelssohn during his

later years, seven years before he passed away.

 It appears like some other standard lieder, strophic,

which two stanzas has the same melody with slight difference at 

the end, an extra repetition of the last melody line.   

There is a very simple introduction with some chromatic notes over 

the left hand while the right hand is always in alberti-like semiquaver

Unlike Schumann's composition, Mendelssohn always composed 

the piano part in an accompanimnet form rather than going on with 

the vocal line. 

There is a little modulation in the middle of each stanza, hence changing 

of tone colour and mood is always expected. More lyrical line is demanded , albeit 

the melody line is always simple. The vocal line in the second stanza could 

appear lighter than the first, as well as softer in dynamics as it tells about 

the fragrant of the linden tree. The ending of the second might be stronger as 

compare to the ending of first stanza as the text goes " there nothing like her".

However the repition of the same text of both stanza on F on the second time 

should not be too loud or expolosive although it is on the high pitch. It has to be 

as sweet or gentle like the beautiful view and the sweet linden tree.                 

Wie der Quell   so lieblich klinget  

 as the source  so lovely   sounds

Und die zarten Blumen küßt, 

and the  tender flower kisses 

Wie der Fink im Schatten singet 

as the  finch in  shadow sing

Und das  nahe  Lienbchen grüßt! 

and the  nearby love    greets 

Wie die Lichter zitternd schweifen 

as the  light   tremble   wonder

Und das Gras sich     grün erfreut, 

and the grass itself green pleased

Wie die Tannen weithin greifen 

as the   firs   widely grab

Und die Linde  Blüten streut! 

and the linden flowers scatters 

In der Linde   süß Gedüfte, 

in the linden sweet fragrance

In der Tannen Riesellaut, 

in the firs   rustling loud

In dem Spiel der Sommerlüfte 

in the play the  summerbreeze 

Glänzet sie als Frühlingsbraut. 

sparkles as they   spring bride

Aber Waldton, Vogelsingen, 

but   forest   bird singing

Duft der Blüten, haltet ein, 

scent the flowers hold one 

Licht, verdunkle, nie gelingen 

 light  darken   never succeed

Kann es euch, ihr gleich zu sein! 

 can it you    her equal to be

(English Translation by Carl Johengen)  

How the fountain so lovely sounds
and kisses the tender flowers,
how the finch in the shade sings
and greets the nearby sweetheart!

How the lights curve trembling
and the grass rejoices in its green,
how the firs reach out far
and the lime tree strews its blooms!

In the lime tree's sweet fragrance,
in the firs loud rustling,
in the play of summer air
She appears as a spring bride.

But forest sounds, birdsong,
Fragance of blooms, cease,
light, die away, you can never
Be like unto her!
 

ceases

-to stop something  

Finch

-any of various types of small singing 
bird with a short wide pointed beak

firs

-a tall evergreen (= never losing its leaves) 

tree that grows in cold countries and has leaves that are like needles