Songs was not main or very important genre for Beethoven, but among them Adelaide is the most favored.
The poet, Friedrich von Matthisson
Friedrich von Matthisson (01.23.1761, Hohendodeleben, near Magdeburg – 03.12.1831, Wörlitz, Anhalt-Dessau) was a German poet. As a profession he graduated in philology at the University of Halle, later in 1812 he entered the service of the king of Württemberg. He made him a counsellor of legation and also intendant of the court theater. In 1818 ha became a knight of the same kingdom.
Matthisson was a very popular poet in his time. His tone was both melancholic and romantic. At the end of his life in an eight-volume edition his works were published (1825-29) by the title Schriften.
Matthisson’s Adelaide is a romantic poem. Its subject is the longing for an idealized women named Adelaide. The text suggests that this woman is beyond reach, unattainable. The poem is of four stanzas each inspired by nature and paints the beloved. The verses end in saying out the name of the woman, Adelaide.
Adelaide
Your friend wanders alone in the garden of spring,
Gently bathed in lovely magical light,
Which shimmers through the swaying branches of flowers:
Adelaide!
In the reflection of the river, in the snows of the Alps,
In the golden clouds of sinking day,
In the fields of stars thy face beams forth,
Adelaide!
Evening breezes whisper through the tender leaves
The silver bells at Maytime rustle in the grass,
Waves roar and nightingales sing,
Adelaide!
Some day, o miracle! a flower will blossom,
Upon my grave from the ashes of my heart;
And clearly on every violet petal will shine:
Adelaide!
Beethoven’s music for the poem, Adelaide
Beethoven started working on this song in the first half of 1795. Some of the sketches were found among the exercises prepared for Albrechtsberger, from whom young Beethoven learned counterpointing. The song was published in 1797 by Artaria under the title: Adelaide von Matthisson. Eine Kantate für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Klaviers. In Musik gesetzt und dem Verfasser gewidmet von Ludwig van Beethoven (Adelaide by Matthison. A cantata for voice with keyboard accompaniment. Set to music and dedicated to the author by Ludwig van Beethoven). Later it received the opus number 46.
The song is in B-flat major, the vocal part is for tenor or soprano. Each verse (stanza) has different music (through-composed). The usual time duration is six minutes.
The music has two larger sections. The first, covering the first three verses, is larghetto and labeled as dolce. The other part of the music is for the last verse with the grave scene. Here Beethoven goes for the ecstasy rather than desperation. The last stanza is allegro molto.
Beethoven liked this poem and as the sign of respect he dedicated the song to Matthisson. In 1800, he sent a copy and a letter to the poet, writing,
“Most honored Sir!
You are herewith receiving from me a composition which has been in print for several years, but concerning which you probably, to my shame, know nothing. Perhaps I can excuse myself and explain how it came about that I dedicated something to you which came so warmly from my heart yet did not inform you of the fact, by saying that at first I was unaware of your place of residence, and partly also I was diffident, not knowing but that I had been over-hasty in dedicating a work to you without knowing whether or not it met with your approval.
Even now I send you “Adelaide” with some timidity. You know what changes are wrought by a few years in an artist who is continually going forward; the greater the progress one makes in art the less one is satisfied with one’s older works. My most ardent wish will be fulfilled if my musical setting of your heavenly “Adelaide” does not wholly displease you, and if it should move you soon to write another poem of its kind, and you, not finding my request too immodest, should send it to me at once, I will put forth all my powers to do your beautiful poetry justice. Look upon the dedication as partly a token of the delight which the composition of your A. gave me, partly as an evidence of my gratitude and respect for the blessed pleasure which your poetry has always given, and always will give me.
When playing “Adelaide” sometimes recall
your sincere admirer
Beethoven.
Vienna, August 4th, 1800”
We know for fact that Matthisson knew about the song and appreciated it, as many years later in 1825, he wrote in his introduction to his latest volume publication,
“Several composers have animated this little lyrical fantasy through music; I am firmly convinced however that none of them so threw the text into the shade with their melody as did the genius Ludwig van Beethoven in Vienna.”
Songs was not main or very important genre for Beethoven, but among them Adelaide is the most favored. Later, various composers, including Liszt, made arrangements of Adelaide.
In the winter of 1800, one day a ten-year-old child was introduced to Beethoven. He was recommended by a mutual friend as a possible pupil. The boy was Carl Czerny and one of the pieces he brought with him for the audition was Adelaide…
