Der Komiker

 

Der Komiker - (2012)    

Joachim Ringelnatz

for medium voice and piano


 

Ein Komiker von erstem Rang
Ging eine Straße links entlang.
Die Leute sagten rings umher
Hindeutend: »Das ist der und der!«
Der Komiker fuhr aus der Haut
Nach Haus und würgte seine Braut.
Nicht etwa wie von ungefähr,
Nein ernst, als ob das komisch wär.

2 pages, circa 1' 15"


Joachim Ringelnatz

 

A comedian of ostensible renown
Went along a way of a road of a town.
Folks thereabouts would point, then exclaim,
"There goes Mister -- hmm -- What's-his-name!"
This ignominy stormed home, and took it out
By throttling his gal, Miss Knockabout.
Not play acting was he with his honey,
But serious: one must be earnest to be funny.

 

rhymed paraphrase by the composer

 

Copyright 2012 © Gary Bachlund     All international rights reserved.

 

 

A light-hearted jaunt in 6/8 through F major to tell Ringelnatz' tale of this comedian. Lower neighbors lead to chord members, the gentle dissonant gestures merely vaudeville. The beating is given the exclamation, "Aua!" and the 6/8 duple breaks into a triple for those measures -- earnestly.

 

 

The score for Der Komiker is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.

 

Der Komiker