Ungewisses Licht, Op. 141, No. 2 (Robert Schumann)

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• (Posted 2020-02-19)  CPDL #57114:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2020-02-19).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 104 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: In English translation. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.

• CPDL #07795:      (Sibelius 2)

Editor: Stuart McIntosh (submitted 2004-09-06).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 144 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Ungewisses Licht, Op. 141, No. 2
Composer: Robert Schumann
Lyricist: Joseph Christian von Zedlitz

Number of voices: 8vv   Voicing: SATB.SATB

Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: German
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1875 in Novello's Part-Song Book (2nd series), Vol. 13, no. 382

Description: #2 of 4 pieces, entire opus also available as complete download.

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Original text and translations

German text Ungewisses Licht Bahnlos und pfadlos, Felsen hinan stürmet der Mensch, ein Wandersmann. Stürzende Bäche, wogender Fluß, brausender Wald, nichts hemmet den Fuß! Dunkel im Kampfe über ihn hin, jagend im Heere die Wolken zieh'n; rollender Donner, strömender Guß, sternlose Nacht, nichts hemmet den Fuß! Endlich, ha! endlich schimmert's von fern! Ist es ein Irrlicht, ist es ein Stern? Ha! wie der Schimmer so freundlich blinkt, wie er mich locket, wie er mir winkt! Rascher durcheilet der Wandrer die Nacht, hinnach dem Lichte zieht's ihn mit Macht! Sprecht, wie: sind's Flammen, ist's Morgenrot, ist es die Liebe, ist es der Tod?

English translation Uncertain light Without a path, without a trail, the man, the wanderer storms up the cliffs: Plunging streams, a roaring river, Booming woods, nothing breaks his stride! Warring in darkness above, Clouds pursue him in armies; Rolling thunder, streaming torrents, a starless night, nothing breaks his stride! At last, ha! At last it glitters in the distance! Is it a phantom, is it a star? Ha, its sparkle is so friendly, How it entices me, how it beckons to me! Faster now the wanderer hurries through the night, Drawn by the power of the light. Tell: is it a flame, is it the sunrise? Is it love, is it death?

English translation Uncertain light   Translation by John Troutbeck