Aufblick ['looking upwards']

early song by Anton Webern (August 1903)

poem by Richard Dehmel

orchestral arrangement and MIDI sequence (c) 1999 by Joseph L. Monzo

(this page opens with an mp3 of my MIDI sequence of this piece)


    Über unsrer Liebe hängt
    eine tiefe Trauerweide.
    Nacht und Schatten um uns beide.
    Unsre Stirnen sind gesenkt.

    Wortlos sitzen wir im Dunkeln.
    Einstmals rauschte hier ein Strom,
    einstmals sahn wir Sterne funkeln.
    Ist denn Alles tot und trübe?
    Horch: - ein ferner Mund - vom Dom:
    Glockenchöre... Nacht und Liebe...

    Over our love hangs
    A great weeping willow.
    Night and shadow above us both.
    Our brows are lowered.

    Wordless, we sit in the gloom.
    Once a stream murmured here,
    Once we saw stars twinkle.
    Is everything dead and dreary?
    Hark: - a distant voice - from the cathedral: -
    Choirs of bells ... night and love.

Translation ©1961 & 1965 by Carl Fisher, Inc., New York.

  • For many more diagrams and explanations of historical tunings, see my book.
  • If you don't understand my theory or the terms I've used, start here
    or try some definitions.

    • I welcome feedback about this webpage:
    corrections, improvements, good links.
    Let me know if you don't understand something.

    return to my home page
    return to the Sonic Arts home page