I love this performance by a soloist and a small chorus of women as much as I love the other version for mezzo soprano and mens chorus and the more rarely heard version for all men's voices. And, I'll point out, it's hard to play those kinds of accompaniments this well.
The story is that Anna Fröhlich commissioned the poet Franz Grillparzer to write the text which she brought to Schubert with a commission to come up with a quick piece for a special occasion. She claimed that he read the poem and said, ‘There, I have it—it’s all worked out.” . Only he didn't realize she wanted him to compose it for a chorus of women and a couple of days later brought her the version for alto solo with mens chorus. But, one of the fastest producers of masterworks in musical history, he recomposed it for her once she made her intentions clear. I don't know if it's true but have no problem believing he was up to it.
The poem in translation.
Hesitating, softly, / under the nightly shell of darkness / we are here.
And with finger gently bent, / softly, softly / we rap at the bedroom door of the beloved.
And now growing, / swelling, rising, / with one voice, loudly / we call out confidently: / Do not sleep / when the voice of affection speaks!
A wise man once sought near and far / for a true human being, with his lantern; / How much more precious than gold / are those who show graciousness and affection for us? / Thus, when friendship and love speak, / my friend, my dear one, do not sleep!
And yet what in all kingdoms / could compare to slumber? / Therefore, instead of words, instead of gifts, / you should now have some rest. / One more greeting, one more word, / and the merry melody falls silent; / softly, softly, we sneak away once more.
Score
One of the loveliest choruses with solo voice ever composed. I first heard it in Christa Ludwig's performance with Irwin Gage, piano.
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