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.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.