Beethoven’s song “Der Gesang der Nachtigall” (WoO 141), dates from June 1813. It’s a setting of a nine-stanza poem by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803), a poet, critic, and collector of folksongs who was influential in the early German Romantic literary movement.
“Der Gesang der Nachtigall” heralds spring as announced by the song of the nightingale with all its glories of flowers and nature and love. But each of the nine strophic stanzas ends with a variation of the warning “Now be happy and glad; burgeoning Spring is fleeing fast.”
#Beethoven250 Day 261
“Der Gesang der Nachtigall” (WoO 141), 1813
This video includes an animated score, but only the first two of the nine stanzas.
Given that Beethoven completed 31 folksong settings earlier in 1813, it’s perhaps not surprising that “Der Gesang Der Nachtigall” has a folksong feel to it. Paul Reid writes:
Beethoven achieves a fine blend of folksong-like simplicity and artful endeavour.
The introduction is remarkably unrestrained in its evocation of birdsong. Perhaps a real nightingale would not adhere quite so strictly to C major through the song; perhaps his note-values would not develop to a climax with such mathematical precision; but the effect, however stylized, is as appealing as the chirpy dactylic metre of the voice, when it enters, is irresistible. The gradual build-up to a measured trill is, of course, reminiscent of Beethoven’s representation of the nightingale in the ‘Pastoral Symphony’. — The Beethoven Song Companion, p. 106.
#Beethoven250 Day 261
“Der Gesang der Nachtigall” (WoO 141), 1813
This is perhaps the only recording that includes all nine stanzas, but you may encounter ads at the beginning and end.
“I know of no greater pleasure in the country than music played by a string quartet” — Beethoven, 24 July 1813