This edition was prepared by Charles Pearson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
An Philomele
Staff Notation • Secular, Lieder
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An Philomele by Hugo Distler — Lyrics
Tonleiterähnlich steiget dein Klaggesang
Vollschwellend auf, wie wenn man Bouteillen füllt:
Es steigt und steigt im Hals der flasche,
Sieh, und das liebliche Naß schäumt über.
O Sängerin, dir möcht‘ ich ein Liedchen weihn,
voll Lieb‘ und Sehnsucht! aber ich stocke schon;
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About An Philomele
Hugo Distler’s An Philomele is a secular Lied for TBB choir, sung in German. It depicts a humorous, almost tipsy, scene where the singer compares the nightingale’s song to the sound of filling bottles. The text expresses a desire to sing a song of love and longing, but the simile of the overflowing bottle instead brings on a thirst. The singer apologises, explaining that he is off to a pub for fresh beer and a game of skittles with local officials. It’s a perfect piece for a choir concert aiming for lightheartedness and a touch of German folk character.
