Music and Texts of GARY BACHLUND
Vocal Music | Piano | Organ | Chamber Music | Orchestral | Articles and Commentary | Poems and Stories | Miscellany | FAQs
Gott ist alles - (2009)
Elisabeth von Österreich
for medium voice and guitar
Carola Minarek gewidmet
Ich wandle hin in Gottes Licht
Und in Jehovas Schatten,
Ich werf mich auf mein Angesicht
An Seines Meers Gestaden,
Ich bet' Ihn an im grossen All,
Ich atme Ihn im Äther,
Ich hör' Ihn in der Wogen Fall;
Und durch den Sturmwind geht Er.[ 1 page, circa 1' 50" ]
Elisabeth von Österreich
God is all
I walk in the light of God
and in the shadow of Jehovah.
I throw myself upon my face
on the shores of his seas.
I worship him in the great universe,
I breathe him in the ether,
I hear him in the breaking of the waves
and through the storm winds he goes.
Translation copyright ©
2009 by Marilyn Barnett
The text is drawn from Das poetische Tagebuch, dated simply 28 April. Kaiserin Elisabeth von Österreich (1837-1898) was born in Munich, and was known familiarly to family and people alike as Sissi. Through marriage to Franz Joseph I, she became Kaiserin of Austria in 1854, and additionally Queen of Hungary in 1867. Beloved of many in her realms, still she was assassinated in Geneva.
This simple setting relies often on open strings, as it has been composed with our neighborhood pharmacist in mind who sings in amateur ensembles and is studying guitar in the moment.
Copyright © 2009 Gary Bachlund All international rights reserved
The score for Gott ist alles 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.
