Born in 1810 in Zwickau, Robert Schumann was a German romantic Composer of … Read Full Bio ↴Born in 1810 in Zwickau, Robert Schumann was a German romantic Composer of the 19th century. His main focus was the piano, an instrument for which he composed numerous masterworks. Starting piano lessons around the age of ten, Schumann never acquired the level of skill comparable to his contemporaries such as Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt or his wife, Clara Schumann, due to an injured right hand, thought to be the result of either a syphilis treatment, or a surgery to increase the strength and reach of his fingers. Music was also a passion that he started later in his life than most great composers. He first focused on publishing and then law, before pursuing his love of music, "Poetry vs. Prose", as he put it. Around 1840 Schumann began to venture beyond the piano and write more diversely instrumented works. He composed 4 symphonies, several concerti, hundreds of songs, as well as notable chamber music, including 3 string quartets and a piano Quintet. He died in 1856 in a mental institution 2 years after attempting suicide by leaping into the Rhine. It is still debated whether his mental breakdown was caused by syphilis or a bipolar disease. There is strong evidence on both sides of the argument.
Throughout his life Schumann was a notable music critic and writer, publishing many works. He was noted for attempting to revive the music of the 18th century, that of Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven which had taken a back seat to the Romantic "liberation" of which he himself was a large proponent. His wife Clara Schumann was talented composer and pianist as well, composing a body of works. She was in fact such a great pianist (superior to Robert) that she sometimes inspired great jealousy and anger in her husband, especially when she played his compositions. Despite his mental breakdown and jealous temper, Robert Schumann’s legacy is that of one of the champion of Romantic and programmatic music. With the effort of his wife Clara and his friend Johannes Brahms, much of his work was published and promoted throughout Europe preserving him in history as one of the greats.

Schöne Fremde
Robert Schumann Lyrics

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Schöne Fremde美丽的陌生人
Es rauschen die Wipfel und schauern,树梢沙沙作响，颤抖着。
cls machten zu dieser Stund'仿佛在这个时刻
Um die halb versunkenen Mauern围绕着半沉睡的墙壁
Die alten Götter die Rund'.古老的神灵在轮回。
Hier hinter den Myrtenbäumen在桃金娘树的后面
In heimlich dämmernder Pracht,在秘密的黄昏的光辉里。
Was sprichst du wirr, wie in Träumen,你为什么像在梦中一样说话？

Zu mir, phantastische Nacht?对我说，奇妙的夜晚？
Es funkeln auf mich alle Sterne所有的星星都在我身上闪烁着
Mit glühendem Liebesblick,带着炽热的爱的凝视。

Es redet trunken die Ferne遥远的地方醉醺醺地说着
Wie von künftigem großen Glück!如同未来的巨大幸福!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robert Schumann's song "Schöne Fremde" (Beautiful Stranger) describe a sense of enchantment and wonderment in an unfamiliar and mysterious place. The opening lines depict the rustling and shivering treetops and half-submerged walls, evoking a sense of ancientness and the presence of old gods. Behind the myrtle trees, in a secretive twilight, the singer addresses the beautiful stranger, whose words seem disjointed, as if speaking in dreams. The singer wonders what the night, with its fantastic allure, has to say to them. The stars twinkle with a passionate gaze, and the distance speaks in a drunken manner, promising a future of great happiness.

The imagery in the song evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, where nature and the supernatural blend together. The presence of the old gods suggests a connection to the past, perhaps hinting at the cyclical nature of existence. The myrtle trees, typically associated with love and romance, add a touch of secrecy and enchantment to the setting. The singer's fascination and confusion in the presence of the beautiful stranger reflect the transformative power of new and unknown experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Es rauschen die Wipfel und schauern,
The treetops rustle and shudder,

cls machten zu dieser Stund'
As if they were creating at this hour

Um die halb versunkenen Mauern
Around the half-sunken walls

Die alten Götter die Rund'.
The ancient gods in their rounds.

Hier hinter den Myrtenbäumen
Here, behind the myrtle trees

In heimlich dämmernder Pracht,
In secretly dimming splendor,

Was sprichst du wirr, wie in Träumen,
Why do you speak incoherently, as in dreams,

Zu mir, phantastische Nacht?
To me, fantastic night?

Es funkeln auf mich alle Sterne
All the stars sparkle upon me

Mit glühendem Liebesblick,
With a glowing look of love,

Es redet trunken die Ferne
The distance speaks drunkenly