WMV Music Web Log

"Serious", encaustic painting by Marilyn Banner
To me, this painting is like an icon. It shows a little girl who loves the sound of the violin with all her heart, and feels privileged to have and play one.













More translations: Three poems by Klaus Groth, set by Brahms in his Op. 105 songs.

Wie Melodien (As if Melodies)

It is as if melodies drift gently into my mind like blooming flowers, filling me with their fragrance.
I try to capture them in words, but they blow away like mist, like breath.
Only a trace of their scent clings to the rhyme, coaxed from dry buds by tears.

Immer leiser (Ever Lighter)

My sleep is ever lighter
And grief lies over me
Like a trembling veil

In dreams you call outside my door
No one opens for you
And I awake crying, crying.

Yes, I must die.
And you will kiss another
When I am clay.

Before May breezes waft
And the thrush sings in the woods
If you would see me
Come soon, come soon!


Im Kirchhöfe (In the churchyard)

On storm-driven rainy day
I wandered among forgotten graves,
Weathered stones and crosses
Faded wreaths, illegible names

On storm-driven rainy day
One word froze on every grave: "Was"

As stormy dead the coffins slept
Dripping from every grave another word: "Healed"

Labels: Brahms Op. 105, Groth, Wie Melodien