Der Wassermann (The Waterman)
Radix Women's Vocal Ensemble: Mad Love
Historic Alberta House - Portland, OR
June 10, 2023
Radix Vocal Ensemble: Helen Allen, Naama Friedman, Emily Gimba, Keely Wright Gvakharia, Christine Johnson, Iris Mairead, Mhari Scott, Mila Trank-Greene & Devon Webster
Amy Stuart Hunn, director
Robert Schumann’s Der Wassermann evokes a sinister natural element: a mythical water spirit of German legend, who carries off a young maiden into the chilly depths of the Neckar River. This piece, on a text by German poet Justinus Kerner, was one of twelve that Schumann wrote in the span of a single week for the women of his Dresden Chorgesangverein (mixed voice choir). (This was reportedly a response to the poor attendance of the male singers in the ensemble!)
Der Wassermann (The Waterman)
Music: Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Lyrics: Justinus Kerner
Es war in des Maien milden Glanz,
Da hielten die Jungfern von Tübingen Tanz.
Sie tanzten und tanzten wohl allzumal
Um eine Linde im grünen Tal.
Ein fremder Jüngling in stolzem Kleid
Sich wandte bald zu der schönsten Maid;
Er reicht ihr dar die Hände zum Tanz,
Er setzt ihr aufs Haar einen meergrünen Kranz.
“O Jüngling! warum ist so kalt dein Arm?”
“In Neckars Tiefen da ist’s nicht warm.”
“O Jüngling! warum ist so bleich deine Hand?”
“Ins Wasser dringt nicht der Sonne Brand!”
Er tanzt mit ihr von der Linde weit;
“Laß, Jüngling! horch, die Mutter schreit!”
Er tanzt mit ihr den Neckar entlang;
“Laß, Jüngling! weh! mir wird so bang!”
Er faßt sie fest um den schlanken Leib:
“Schön Maid! du bist des Wassermanns Weib!”
Er tanzt mit ihr in die Wellen hinein:
“O Vater und du, o Mutter mein!”
Er führt sie in einen kristallenen Saal.
“Ade, ihr Schwestern im grünen Tal!”
Once in the mild brightness of May,
The young maidens of Tübingen had a dance.
They danced and danced all together
About a lime tree in the green valley.
A stranger, a lad in a proud garment,
Soon attached himself to the most beautiful maiden;
He stretched out his hands to lead her into the dance,
He placed a sea-green wreath upon her hair.
“Oh young man, why are your arms so cold?”
“In the depths of the Neckar (river) it is not warm.”
“Oh young man, why are your hands so pale?”
“The burning rays of the sun do not penetrate into the water.”
He dances away with her, far from the lime tree:
“Stop, young man! Listen, my mother is calling me!”
He dances away with her along the banks of the Neckar:
“Stop, young man! Woe, I am becoming so frightened!”
He seizes her tightly about her slender body:
“Lovely maiden, you are the waterman’s bride!”
He dances away with her right into the waves:
“Oh father, and you, oh mother mine!”
He leads her into his crystal hall:
“Adieu, to you, my sisters all!”