Wilhelm Sturm (1842–1922)
Wilhelm Sturm was born on 5 January 1842 in Sebnitz. From 1863 he began by conducting various choral societies in Dresden. In 1866 he is documented as an opera singer in Chemnitz, and from 1867 again in Dresden. From 1876 to 1917 he was music director there. Wilhelm Sturm died on 5 May 1922 in Biel, Switzerland.
Frühlingsblick (Spring Glance) Op. 5 for Male Choir, 4 Horns and Piano
Text: Nikolaus Lenau (1802–1850)
Frühlingsblick
Durch den Wald, den dunkeln, geht
Holde Frühlingsmorgenstunde,
Durch den Wald vom Himmel weht
Eine leise Liebeskunde.
Selig lauscht der grüne Baum,
Und er taucht mit allen Zweigen
In den schönen Frühlingstraum,
In den vollen Lebensreigen.
Blüht ein Blümlein irgendwo,
Wirds vom hellen Tau getränket,
Das einsame zittert froh,
Daß der Himmel sein gedenket.
In geheimer Laubesnacht
Wird des Vogels Herz getroffen
Von der großen Liebesmacht,
Und er singt ein süßes Hoffen.
All das frohe Lenzgeschick
Nicht ein Wort des Himmels kündet;
Nur sein stummer, warmer Blick
Hat die Seligkeit entzündet;
Also in den Winterharm,
Der die Seele hielt bezwungen,
Ist ein Blick mir, still und warm,
Frühlingsmächtig eingedrungen.
English translation (literal, for orientation)
Through the dark forest walks
the gentle hour of a spring morning;
through the forest, from heaven, drifts
a soft tiding of love.
Blissfully the green tree listens,
and dips with all its branches
into the lovely dream of spring,
into the full round dance of life.
If a little flower blooms somewhere,
it is refreshed by the bright dew;
the lonely one trembles with joy
that heaven remembers it.
In the secret night of the leaves
the bird’s heart is struck
by the great power of love,
and it sings a sweet hope.
All this joyful fate of spring
is announced by not a word from heaven;
only its silent, warm glance
has kindled the bliss;
So, into the winter grief
that held my soul in thrall,
a glance, quiet and warm,
has penetrated with the power of spring.
