Rastlose Liebe, Hess 149 (Completion) (mp3)
 |
| Picture by courtesy of Donna Dralle. More of her work can be found at http://www.graphixnow.com |
Beethoven wrote out three full continuity drafts for this song, each varying somewhat melodically, but pretty much all consistent in their general vision. We present here a midi of the three continuity sketches, each about 5 minutes in duration, in the order which Johnson believed Beethoven had written them. At the conclusion are several fragments which give variant versions of small spots in the song without a full continuity draft being written. These drafts/sketches were written a few months after Adelaide, op. 46, and bear a certain similarity to that song; we can clearly see Beethoven moving the lied toward what would become the art-song. Beethoven certainly put a great deal of effort into this song; it is unclear to us why he didn't take it to completion. Although the piano part is indicated only occasionally (and only the right hand at that), an autograph could have been completed from this sketch without too much difficulty. Willem has made his attempt at completing the latest version of the song, which is presented here in a separate midi. The piano part for the completion was suggested by a small figuration which is jotted into on area of the sketch; it clearly fits the restless nature of the song, and was used and expanded to make the accompaniment heard in the completion here.
The poem is by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who wrote Erl-koenig, which was also sketched at about the same time. Johnson hypothesizes that these Goethe-lieder were written for Countess Josephine de Clary, for whom Beethoven wrote the mandolin pieces, WoO 43 and 44 on this same kind of paper. If Beethoven completed these songs for Josephine, however, they are not known to have survived.
Rastlose Liebe Dem Schnee, dem Regen, Dem Wind entgegen, Im Dampf der Kluefte, Durch Nebelduefte, Immer zu! Immer zu! Ohne Rast und Ruh' Lieber druch Leiden Moecht' ich mich schlagen, Also so viel Freuden Des Lebens ertragen. Alle das Neigen Von Herzen zu Herzen, Ach, wie so eigen Schaffet das Schmerzen! Wie, soll ich fliehen? Waelderwarts ziehen? Alles vergebens! Krone des Lebens, Glueck ohne Ruh' Liebe, bist du! ------J.W. von Goethe Restless love Against snow, the rain and wind I go, through steamy clefts, through fog's odour, Onwards! Onwards! No rest no peace! Rather through suffering I desire to fight, than to bear so much joy of life. All that inclines From heart to heart, oh, how peculiarly it creates pain. How shall I flee? Into the woods? All doomed to fail! Crown of Life, Happiness without rest, Oh love, thou art! (trans. Jan Templiner)
Hess: 149