Cornelius – Die Könige

Filed under: Christmas, German, Low, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Die Könige

Music: Peter Cornelius (1824-1874)

Text: Peter Cornelius (1824-1874)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

  • PDF available at the Werner Icking Music Archive
    • Key: G Major
    • Range: B3 – E5
    • Note: Abcm2ps Source file available to edit or transpose.

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Drei Könige wandern aus Morgenland;
Ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand.
In Juda fragen und forschen die drei,
Wo der neugeborene König sei?
Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
Dem Kinde spenden zum Opfersold.

Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein:
Zum Stalle gehen die Kön’ge ein;
Das Knäblein schaun sie wonniglich,
Anbetend neigen die Könige sich;
Sie bringen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
Zum Opfer dar dem Knäblein hold.

O Menschenkind! halte treulich Schritt!
Die Kön’ge wandern, o wandre mit!
Der Stern der Liebe, der Gnade Stern
Erhelle dein Ziel, so du suchst den Herrn,
Und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold,
Schenke dein Herz dem Knäblein hold!

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Noting the shut down of IMSLP

Filed under: news

I’ve referenced the International Music Score Library Project several times on this site, and was troubled when it shut down last month in response to a cease and desist letter. The letter from a law firm representing Austrian publisher Universal Edition insisted that IMSLP, a Canadian organization on Canadian servers, had to block access to Europeans of material still in copyright there.

However, much like the temporary shut down of The Lied and Art Song Texts Page under similar circumstances a few years ago, I think the utter shut down of the site was a little bit of an overreaction. I’m particularly disappointed that the owner of IMSLP didn’t take Michael Hart up on his offer to temporarily host all the US-legal stuff on Project Gutenberg’s servers.

Curiously, both sites are based in Canada, and I don’t know how much bearing Canadian law has on their viability. I’m relieved to know that Project Gutenberg, backed by a small army of volunteer lawyers, has maintained a firm line in the sand regarding such issues. They have stringent rules by which they determine what they can host, but they have successfully beaten back the IP bullies who have tried to prevent them from serving public domain materials that may still be in copyright in other countries.

Fortunately, I follow PG’s rules in considering what I can put on this website. I’m glad to know that if I were served with a similar letter, I would have a host of precedent to protect me, as well as supportive organizations like PG and the Internet Archive prepared to offer me cover.

Finally, while I had some reservations about some of the ways IMSLP pushed the envelope of legality, as well as concerns about quality control, I do hope the majority of that site will quickly find its way back online. I’d especially like to avoid having to scan the complete songs of Schubert myself, since they had apparently already done so!

Mozart – O Isis und Osiris

Filed under: German, Low, Songs

Song Information

Title: O Isis und Osiris (From Die Zauberflöte)

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Text: Emanuel Schikaneder (1751-1812)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

  • PDF available at the Choral Public Domain Library
    • Key: F Major
    • Range: F2 – C4
    • Note: This aria is sung by Sarastro, a bass, and is naturally in bass clef.
    • Note: Finale 2008 Source file available to edit or transpose.
    • Note: TTBB Chorus included in this score. This is generally omitted when performing the aria out of context, for obvious reasons.

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

O Isis und Osiris, schenket
der Weisheit Geist dem neuen Paar!
Die ihr der Wandr’er Schritte lenket,
Stärkt mit Geduld sie in Gefahr.

Laßt sie der Prüfung Früchte sehen,
Doch sollen sie zu Grabe gehen,
So lohnt der Tugend kühnen Lauf,
Nehmt sie in euren Wohnsitz auf.

Resources

  • Wikipedia has an entry for The Magic Flute, including background information and plot synopsis.
  • A full score of the opera is available at Dogstar Music’s The Magic Flute Project, along with various other resources.
  • A full libretto of the opera with an English translation is available at the Aria Database.

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Anthology of Italian Song v.1 is complete

Filed under: news

Through a strong weekend push, all of the numbers from Parisotti’s Anthology of Italian Song volume 1 have now had posts created. (Including the last one, which seems to actually have its original text in French.)

This also pushes our total song posting count above 130.

Martini – Plaisir d’amour

Filed under: French, Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Plaisir d’amour (or Piacer d’amor)

Music: Jean (Johann) (Giovanni) Paul Martini (1741-1816)

Text: Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian (1755-1794)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Plaisir d’amour
Ne dure qu’un moment:
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

J’ai tout quitté pour l’ingrate Sylvie;
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant.

Plaisir d’amour
Ne dure qu’un moment:
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

“Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde
La prairie je t’aimerai,”
Me répétait Sylvie.
L’eau coule encor,
Elle a changé pourtant.

Plaisir d’amour
Ne dure qu’un moment:
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text in French and Italian, as well as an English translation.

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Paisiello – Il mio ben quando verrà

Filed under: High, Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Il mio ben quando verrà

Music: Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816)

Text: Authorship unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Il mio ben quando verrà
A veder la mesta amica?
Di bei fior s’ammanterà
La spiaggia aprica.
Ma nol vedo, e il mio ben,
Ahimè! Non vien?

Mentre all’aure spiegherà
La sua fiamma, i suoi lamenti,
Miti augei v’insegnerà
Più dolci accenti.
Ma non l’odo. E chi l’udì?
Ah! il mio bene ammutolì.

Tu cui stanca omai già fe’
Il mio pianto, eco pietosa,
Ei ritorna e dolce a te
Chiede, chiede la sposa.
Pian, mi chiama; piano ahimè!
No, non mi chiama, oh Dio, non c’è!

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Piccinni – O notte, o dea del mistero

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: O notte, o dea del mistero

Music: Niccolò Piccinni (1728-1800)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

O notte, o Dea del mistero,
Dolce compagna d’amor,
O notte, è in te sola ch’io spero!
Deh scaccia del giorno il fulgor.

O speme, crudel martiro,
O istante di gaudio e timor,
Io temo, io tremo, e desiro,
E d’amore sospira il mio cor.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Traetta – Ombra cara, amorosa

Filed under: High, Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Ombra cara, amorosa

Music: Tommaso Traetta (1727-1779)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Ombra cara, amorosa,
Ah! perché mai
Tu corri al tuo riposo,
Ed io qui resto?

Tu tranquilla godrai
Nelle sedi beate,
Ove non giunge
Nè sdegno,
Nè dolor;
Do ve ricopre ogni cura mortale
Eterno obblìo,
Nè più rammenterai,
Fra gli amplessi paterni
Il pianto mio,
Nè questo
Di dolor soggiorno infesto.

Io resto sempre a piangere
Dove mi guida ognor,
D’un in un altro orror
La cruda sorte.
E a terminar le lagrime,
Pietosa al mio dolor,
Ahi! che non giunge ancor
Per me la morte.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Jommelli – Chi vuol comprar la bella calandrina

Filed under: High, Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Chi vuol comprar la bella calandrina

Music: Niccolò Jommelli (1714-1774)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Chi vuol comprar la bella calandrina,
Che canta da mattino in fino a sera?
Chi vuol comprar la, venga a contratto!

Sempre a buon pattola venderò.
La bella calandrina! Chi vuol comprar la?

È sì gentil, ha così dolce il canto,
E vender la degg’io che l’amo tanto;
Ma questo è il mio mestiere,
No’l fo per piacere! Venga! venga!

Sempre a buon pattola venderò.
La bella calandrina! Chi vuol comprar la?

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Gluck – Che farò senza Euridice?

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Che farò senza Euridice? (from Orfeo ed Euridice)

Music: Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)

Text: Ranieri de’ Calzabigi (1714-1795)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

  • A recording of the complete opera can be found here.

MIDI:

Song Text

Che farò senza Euridice?
Dove andrò senza il mio ben?
Euridice!… Oh Dio! Rispondi!
Io son pure il tuo fedel!
Euridice… Ah! non m’avanza
Più soccorso, più speranza,
Né dal mondo, né dal ciel!
Che farò senza Euridice?
Dove andrò senza il mio ben?

Resources

  • Wikipedia has an entry about Orfeo ed Euridice, with links to libretti and translations.

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Gluck – O del mio dolce ardor

Filed under: High, IPA, Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: O del mio dolce ardor (from Paride ed Elena)

Music: Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)

Text: Ranieri de’ Calzabigi (1714-1795)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Text:

O del mio dolce ardor
Bramato oggetto,
L’aura che tu respiri,
Alfin respiro.

O vunque il guardo io giro,
Le tue vaghe sembianze
Amore in me dipinge:
Il mio pensier si finge
Le più liete speranze;
E nel desio che così
M’empie il petto
Cerco te, chiamo te, spero e sospiro.

IPA Transcription:

IPA for O del mio dolce ardor, courtesy of IPANow! transcription software.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Handel – Ah! mio cor

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Ah! mio cor

Music: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central (PDF files):

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Ah! mio cor, schernito sei.
Stelle, Dei, Nume d’amore!
Traditore, t’amo tanto,
Puoi lasciarmi sola in pianto?
Oh Dei! puoi lasciarmi,
Oh Dei, perché?

Resources

Pergolesi – Ogni pena più spietata

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Ogni pena più spietata

Music: Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Ogni pena più spietata
Soffriria quest’alma afflitta e desolata,
Se godesse una speranza di potersi consolar.
Ma, ohimè, cade ogni speme,
Non c’è luogo, non c’è vita,
Non c’è modo di sperar.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Scarlatti – Consolati e spera!

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Consolati e spera!

Music: Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Consolati! e spera!
Potrai d’altro oggetto
Più lieto goder,
La stella più fiera,
Se cangia d’aspetto,
Può ancora l’affanno mutare in piacer.

Resources

Vivaldi – Un certo non so che

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Un certo non so che

Music: Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Un certo non so che
Mi giunge e passa il cor,
E pur dolor, non è.
Se questo fosse amor?
Nel suo vorace ardor,
Già posi incauta,
Posi il piè!

Resources

Scarlatti – Se tu della mia morte

Filed under: Italian, Low, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Se tu della mia morte

Music: Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Se tu della mia morte
A questa destra forte
La gloria non vuoi dar,
Dal la a’tuoi lumi.

E il dardo
Del tuo sguardo
Sia quello che m’uccida
E mi consumi.

Resources

Scarlatti – Spesso vibra per suo gioco

Filed under: Italian, Low, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Spesso vibra per suo gioco

Music: Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)

Text: Authorship Unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Spesso vibra per suo gioco
Il bendato pargoletto
Strali d’oro in umil petto,
Stral di ferro in nobil core.

Poi languendo in mezzo alfoco
Del diverso acceso strale per oggetto
Non eguale questo manca,
E quel vien meno.

Spesso vibra per suo gioco
Il bendato pargoletto
Strali d’oro in umil petto,
Stral di ferro in nobil seno.

Resources

Paisiello – Chi vuol la zingarella

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Chi vuol la zingarella

Music: Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816)

Text: Authorship unknown

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Chi vuol la zingarella
Graziosa accorta e bella?
Signori, eccola qua.
Signori, eccola qua.

Le donne sul balcone
So bene indovinar.
I giovani al cantone
So meglio stuzzicar.

A vecchi innamorati
Scaldar fo le cervella.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Bononcini – Deh più a me non v’ascondete

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Deh più a me non v’ascondete

Music: Giovanni Maria Bononcini (1642-1678)

Text: Unknown author

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Deh più a me non v’ascondete,
Luci vaghe del mio sol,
Con svelarvi, se voi siete,
Voi potete far quest’alma fuor di duol.

Resources

Cesti – Intorno all’idol mio

Filed under: Italian, Medium, Songs

Song Information

Title: Intorno all’idol mio

Music: Antonio Cesti (1623-1669)

Text: Unknown author

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

Elsewhere on the Internet:

Audio Files

Mp3:

MIDI:

Song Text

Intorno all’idol mio spirate pur, spirate,
Aure, Aure soavi e grate,
E nelle guancie elette
Baciatelo per me,
Cortesi, cortesi aurette!

Al mio ben, che riposa
Su l’ali della quiete,
Grati, grati sogni assistete
E il mio racchiuso ardore
Svelate gli per me,
O larve, o larve d’amore!

Resources