Schumann: The Two Grenadiers (Neil Balfour)

Neil Balfour performing The Two Grenadiers (Die Beiden Grenadiere) by Robert Schumann.
The audio & video in this performance was a continuous LIVE recording for artsongstory.
Music & Performance: Neil Balfour (www.neilbalfour.com)
Audio & Video: Ben Rawles
Accompaniment: Chris Pulleyn
'Die Beiden Grenadiere' is one of Robert Schumann's most famous songs. It's text is derived from Heine's 'Die Grenadiere', which details his witness in Düsseldorf to the return of the French prisoners of war from Russia.
LYRICS
Two grenadiers were returning to France,
From Russian captivity they came.
And as they crossed into German lands
They hung their heads in shame.
Both heard there the tale that they dreaded most,
That France had been conquered in war;
Defeated and shattered, that once proud host,
And the Emperor, a free man no more.
The grenadiers both started to weep
At hearing so sad a review.
The first said, "My pain is too deep;
My old wound is burning anew!"
The other said, "The song is done;
Like you, I'd not stay alive;
But at home I have wife and son,
Who without me would not survive."
What matters son? What matters wife?
By nobler needs I set store;
Let them go beg to sustain their life!
My Emperor, a free man no more!
Promise me, brother, one request:
If at this time I should die,
Take my corpse to France for its final rest;
In France's dear earth let me lie.
The Cross of Valour, on its red band,
Over my heart you shall lay;
My musket place into my hand;
And my sword at my side display.
So shall I lie and hark in the ground,
A guardwatch, silently staying
Till once more I hear the cannon's pound
And the hoofbeats of horses neighing.
Then my Emperor'll be passing right over my grave;
Each clashing sword, a flashing reflector.
And I, fully armed, will rise up from that grave,
The Emperor's, the Emperor's protector!"
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[@anttikuusmetso]

Great artist! 👍

[@imanabu5862]

My teacher told me that music isn't just about playing the right note but also about playing it with feelings, so I am here to get those feelings, and you did a great job at that !

[@artsongstory]

Thanks Iman, those are really kind words. I think you'r teacher is absolutely right. Playing with feeling is the most fun, wonderful and uplifting part of music making!

[@marioconfort2012]

Thanks for sharing. I am learning to play this song right now in the violin (Suzuki method). Loved to know the story. You have a wonderful and touching voice!

[@artsongstory]

Hi Mario, thanks so much for the lovely comments. I absolutely love this song and I am sure you will play it with panache!

[@nfld]

Me too. This is so beautiful and sad.

[@thewomandirector]

Me, three! Sounds better sung by a pro than a beginning violinist! Thanks for the performance!

[@McFloraL]

Amazing voice and such a beautiful, emotional rendition! Well done! I read that when Napoleon was exiled to St Helena, those cried the most who could not accompany him, and this song (especially the way you sing it) captures that wild devotion to the emperor perfectly.

[@artsongstory]

Flora, what a lovely comment. Thank you. I did not know that story about Napoleon but you're right, it fits perfectly with this song. Thanks for sharing!

[@donleo9356]

Absolutely outstanding mate

[@artsongstory]

Thanks Don ☺️

[@lilievangelista6554]

Amazing!!!! Thank you for this!

[@artsongstory]

Thank you Lili 😁

[@caroldelourdes3895]

BRAVO 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Hyunseok-rz4ob]

Such a magnificent cover! You're voice, facial expression and the hand gestures match with the music. I just wish that you could have used a better device for recording. I would love to hear this cover in a much better quality.

[@artsongstory]

Thanks for taking the time to write that Hyunseok3328, it means a lot. Slowly but surely I am learning more and more about recording so please do keep watching this space 😁

[@louiscouturiaux1093]

Très très agréable ... une musique bien ressentie.... je la prépare en français qui donne également une expression intéressante... Je regrette un peu la résonance de la salle qui donne à sa belle technique un klang spécial... mais très belle interprétation... see you later... c'est le style de chanteur lyrique que l'on voudrait entendre plus souvent....

[@artsongstory]

Merci Louis 😊

[@kaziiqbal7257]

Where’d you guys get a Victoria Cross for this?

[@quadrigeable]

Désolé, je trouve cela de très mauvais goût.
I'm sorry, but this is really in bad taste (according to me, of course).

[@artsongstory]

Hi Christian, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. As an artist I'm always open to constructive criticism. Would you be open to explaining what you didn't like about it?