2.Die Blume der Ergebung

In the delicate, subdued Die Blume der Ergebung, Op. 83/2 (The Resigned Flower), based on Rückert's verse, one can almost hear the sunbeams, raindrops, and the breeze, all seasonal blessings, as they grace the tender flower of this song. A combination of Robert Schumann's early and late styles, the work is a cantabile melody with chromaticism in both the vocal line and the accompaniment's richly legato arpeggiandi. Written in the key of A major, it is soft throughout except during a few brief crescendos; especially quiet are its last two phrases, which whisper the poem's opening line alongside the equally gentle accompaniment. The singer's short phrases contain many triplets and are separated by any number of rests that may potentially interrupt the line's flow if the singer takes conspicuous breaths.

© Meredith Gailey, All Music Guide

3.Der Einseidler

Listeners who flinch at the words of Robert Schumann's settings of Eichendorff's writings may be comforted to hear the poet's calmer, gentler side in Der Einsiedler, Op. 83/3 (The Hermit). This highly effective Romantic lyric tells of how solace can be found amid a wearisome world; while resting in the mountains, the protagonist comes to terms with having been forgotten and proclaims his appreciation of the quiet night and the sparkling sunrise that will inevitably follow. One of the composer's simpler works, this strophic song has three identical verses and is made of basic chorale-like chords. Aside from each verse's initial volume indications, the tune is devoid of dynamic markings and overall, is so faint that it can sound a bit like the "Lüfte alle schlafen" (sleeping breeze). The final notes of the two-bar postlude are affected by three fermatas and touch some of the piano's deepest tones.

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