TRANSLATION: Arnold Schoenberg's 'Pierrot Lunaire,' Op. 21 - "Pierrot Prayer"

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.

PIERROT PRAYER

Pierrot, my laughter--
I can't remember how to laugh.
The picture of radiance
Dispersed, dispersed.

Black waves the banner
Upon my mast now.
Pierrot, my laughter--
I can't remember how to laugh.

Oh, return to me--
Soul's veterinarian,
Snowman of the lyric--
Your lunar grace.
Pierro, my laughter!

Coming up next, Teil II: 10. "Raub."

Tags

Translation, Arnold Schoenberg, Pierrot Lunaire, Teil II, Albert Giraud, Otto Erich Hartleben, Stanley Appelbaum, University of Southern California