Quatuor Akilone

Poème de Hölty, set to music by Fanny Hensel and Brahms, both born in Hamburg and brought up in these regions close to the North Sea, expresses the enchanting spirit and evocative power of Nature in the Romantic tradition. Brahms and Hensel were both inspired by the work of Beethoven, who himself drew his inspiration from country ballads, as well as from many poets in common: he also makes the magic lyre tinkle in his quartet known as the Harp Quartet.

Three composers born in Germany, all very good pianists, with a mind open to an enchanted nature that serves as a vehicle for the most intimate emotions.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
String Quartet in E flat major No. 10 op.74 “The Harp” 30'

Fanny MENDELSSOHN (1805-1847)
String Quartet in E flat major                         20'

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
String Quartet in A minor op.51 no.2                         33'

Die Mainacht
Wann der silberne Mond durch die Gesträuche blinkt,
And its slumbering light streaks across the grass,
And the nightingale warbles,
As I sadly wander from bush to bush.
Shrouded in leaves, a pair of doves cooing
Show me their delight; but I turn away,
Seeking darker shadows,
And the lonely tear flows.
When, oh smiling image, which like the morning red
Through the soul shines on me, will I find you on earth?
And the lonely tear
Drops down my cheek more hotly.

Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty

May Night
When the silvery moon gleams through the bushes,
And sheds its slumbering light on the grass,
And the nightingale is fluting,
I wander sadly from bush to bush.
Covered by leaves, a pair of doves
Coo to me their ecstasy; but I turn away,
Seek darker shadows,
And the lonely tear flows down.
When, O smiling vision, that shines through my soul
Like the red of dawn, shall I find you here on earth?
And the lonely tear
Quivers more ardently down my cheek.

Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)