Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt (Beethoven)
Encyclopedia
Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt ("Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage"), is a cantata
for chorus
and orchestra
composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
(op. 112), based on verses by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
and dedicated to him. The work was first performed in Vienna
in 1815 and first published in 1822. The piece is in a single movement, a typical performance usually taking between 7 and 8 minutes.
The cantata beautifully evokes the imagery of the pair of poems which later inspired a more famous concert overture by Mendelssohn
. The poems' titles are not synonymous: in the days before steam, a totally calm sea was cause for alarm; it is only when the wind at last rises that the ship can continue on its journey. The first section depicts a ship becalmed, the second its success in resuming its voyage.
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
for chorus
Strophic form
Strophic form is the simplest and most durable of musical forms, elaborating a piece of music by repetition of a single formal section. This may be analyzed as "A A A..."...
and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
(op. 112), based on verses by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His Faust has been called the greatest long...
and dedicated to him. The work was first performed in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in 1815 and first published in 1822. The piece is in a single movement, a typical performance usually taking between 7 and 8 minutes.
The cantata beautifully evokes the imagery of the pair of poems which later inspired a more famous concert overture by Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
. The poems' titles are not synonymous: in the days before steam, a totally calm sea was cause for alarm; it is only when the wind at last rises that the ship can continue on its journey. The first section depicts a ship becalmed, the second its success in resuming its voyage.
Text
| German | English |
|---|---|
Meeres Stille: |
Calm Sea: |
Tiefe Stille herrscht im Wasser, Ohne Regung ruht das Meer, Und bekümmert sieht der Schiffer Glatte Fläche ringsumher. Keine Luft von keiner Seite! Todesstille fürchterlich! In der ungeheuern Weite Reget keine Welle sich. |
Deep stillness rules the water Without motion lies the sea, And sadly the sailor observes Smooth surfaces all around. No air from any any side! Deathly, terrible stillness! In the immense distances not a single wave stirs. |
Glückliche Fahrt: |
Prosperous Journey: |
Die Nebel zerreißen, Der Himmel ist helle, Und Äolus löset Das ängstliche Band. Es säuseln die Winde, Es rührt sich der Schiffer. Geschwinde! Geschwinde! Es teilt sich die Welle, Es naht sich die Ferne; Schon seh ich das Land! |
The fog is torn, The sky is bright, And Aeolus releases The fearful bindings. The winds whisper, The sailor begins to move . Swiftly! Swiftly! The waves divide, The distance nears; Already, I see land! |
Recordings
- Beethoven
- John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists: "Messe in C", Archiv Produktions
- Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus: "Beethoven: Mass in C, Elegiac Song & Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage", Telarc
See also
- Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt (Mendelssohn) - concert overture by Felix MendelssohnFelix MendelssohnJakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...