Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Čtyři písně (Four Songs, B157*, 1888)

IV. U potoka (At the Brook)

Dvořák originally intended these pieces to be published by the Berlin-based Simrock, his primarily publisher. From what I can ascertain, Dvořák surrendered his works to the Prague-based publisher, Emanuel Starý, years prior, but now the London-based publisher, Novello, was hoping to purchase them -- including this set of songs. Simrock, understandably, was not happy.

The poetry was originally in German, as part of Otilie Malybrock–Stieler's Lyrische Gedichte und Übertragungen nach böhmischer Kunst- und Volkspoesie. These pieces mimic more of the marriage of text and music, as well as the use of text painting, that one might find in German Lieder. Indeed, "U potoka"'s babbling brook ostinato is reminiscent of Schubert's "Das Wandern", or even the spinning wheel in "Gretchen am Spinnrade," for that matter.

The first song of this cycle, "Kež duch můj sám," ("Leave Me Alone") is one of Dvořák's most well-known songs.

The brook flows quietly and laments
Because it has to flow past
The dear, lovely flowers
That bloom along the green banks.

Though it might see [the image of the flowers]
Reflected in its own heart,
It must nevertheless hasten past;
It is not permitted to stand still caressingly.

Brooklet! You bear my own suffering;
I, too, must walk coldly and silently
Away from the most beautiful flower,
Never to see her again!

Translation courtesy of Oxford International Song Festival (formerly Oxford Lieder)

Enjoy one of my favorite tenors, the late, great Philip Langridge, and the consummate Graham Johnson.

*After Jarmil Burghauser, who cataloged Dvořák's works. More reliable than an opus number when referring to this composer.