TRANSLATION: Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21 - "Drunk Moonlight"

Lost in the fire of last year's Pierrot centennial was translation. After all, it was Otto Erich Hartleben's German--translated from the original French of Albert Giraud--that Arnold Schoenberg had set.

And with Stanley Appelbaum's Anglicised Hartleben turning 20 next year (not to mention having its own Twitter account @PierrotTweets), Classicalite figured a new English language translation was passed due.

To wit, for the next 21 weekdays, we'll be offering a new take on each of Giraud/Hartleben/Appelbaum's 3x7 poems...alongside some of our favorite performances.

DRUNK MOONLIGHT

The wine we drink through the eyes
Is poured into the waves of the moon in the night
And overflowing spring tides
The silent horizon.

Desires, exciting and sweet,
Float through countless waters!
The wine we drink through the eyes
Is poured into the waves by the moon at night.

The poet, who pushed through his devotions,
Intoxicated by the sacred drink;
Thrilled, he turned to the sky
His head, and staggering, sucks and slurps
The wine you drink with eyes.

Up next: "Colombine"

Tags

Translation, Schoenberg, Pierrot Lunaire, Part I, Albert Giraud, Otto Erich Hartleben, Stanley Appelbaum