R. Murray Schafer: Adieu Robert Schumann (1976) • Krisztina Szabo, mezzo-soprano

R. Murray Schafer: Adieu Robert Schumann (1976)
for mezzo-soprano & orchestra
Esprit Orchestra
Alex Pauk, conductor
Krisztina Szabo, mezzo-soprano
Text:
Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön,
[Your face, so lovely and beautiful,]
das hab’ ich jüngst im Traum geseh’n,
[which I have seen lately in my dream,]
es ist so mild und engelgleich,
[is so mild like an angel,]
und doch so bleich, so schmerzen reich.
[and yet so pale, so full of pain.]
Und nur die lippen, die sind rot;
[And only the lips are red;]
bald aber küsst sie bleich der Tod.
[soon death will kiss them pale.]
The telegram said: “If you want to see your husband alive come at once; The sight of him is horrifying.”
I went and Brahms went with me.
I saw him in the evening.
He smiled, putting his arm about me,
but with great effort, for he can no longer move his limbs. I shall never forget that embrace.
It is impossible to understand his speech. Only once I understood the word “my”- but he couldn’t add “Clara”
though he looked at me lovingly. Then he suddenly said: “I know you.”
I wait by his side scarcely daring to breathe.
It is nearly three years since Robert came to the asylum. Asylum! How bitter the word!
Three long, lonely years. It began just after he had written that strange letter to Joachim-
the letter which ended: “My music has become silent to the outside world. I must leave now, it is growing dark.”
On the night of February tenth, 1854, Robert suffered a violent affliction of hearing;
He kept hearing the same note played over and over and sometimes another interval with it.
The doctor says he can do absolutely nothing. My poor Robert suffers terribly. One note
over and over, over and over.
Last night after we had been in bed for some time Robert suddenly asked me to listen.
Angels. He said that angels were dictating music to him. He got up and wrote down the theme.
Then he came back to bed and lay gazing toward heav’n. He was convinced that angels were hovering around us, Revealing divine music.
But with the morning came a terrible change. The angels turned into demons-
they said they would cast him in to hell.
I watched him listening to the angel’s voices. His eyes had an expression of beatitude. Sometimes he would write something down, not much, then he would listen again.
The doctors will no longer allow Robert to get out of bed, nor will they allow others to go near him.
I sent him a little bunch of violets;
if only I could see him.
Robert has put all of his effects in order, pens, music, paper, cigars.
He insists that the doctors send him to an asylum for there alone he can recover.
Saturday, March the fourth,
Oh god! The carriage stood at the door! Robert dressed quickly, got into the carriage, accompanied by the doctor.
He didn’t ask for me. I thought I would die.
My wonderful Robert in an asylum; how can I bear it? “I know you.”
Those were the last words he spoke.
His last hours were peaceful, and he passed in sleep
His head is beautiful, transparent and slightly arched. I stand by the body of the man I had loved and am filled with wonder.
I lay some flowers on his head and depart. I am all alone
Recorded live at Koerner Hall, Toronto
April 25th, 2024

[@stephensitarski617]

One of the most profound and powerful pieces of Canadian music. Krisztina owns this work at the moment, but I expect other singers will carry the torch for many years to come.
RIP R. Murray Schafer - you are still loved, admired, and revered…

[@FraukeVoss-x6t]

Maureen Forrester would have enjoyed this interpretation.