At Midnight
Text by Friedrich Rückert
At midnight
I awoke
and gazed up to heaven;
Not a star in the galaxy
smiled down at me
at midnight.
At midnight
my thoughts went out
to the dark reaches of space;
No shining thought
brought me comfort
at midnight.
At midnight
I paid close attention
to the beating of my heart;
A single pulse of pain
was set alight
at midnight.
At midnight
I fought the battle,
O Humanity, of your suffering;
I could not gain victory
by my own strength
at midnight.
At midnight
I gave my strength
into your hands!
Lord, over life and death,
you keep watch
at midnight.
In Friedrich Ruckert’s poem “At Midnight,” Gustav Mahler found the perfect lyrics to pair with his haunting score. The combination illustrates Mahler’s ongoing questioning of faith and search for God.
Guests include:
• Thomas Hampson, Foremost Baritone & Opera Star
• Marilyn McCoy, Columbia University, New York
Music used in Episode 4. All titles used with permission.
Rückert Lieder: Um Mitternacht
By Gustav Mahler
Piano arrangement and embellishment
Written and performed by D.D. Jackson
Rückert Lieder: Um Mitternacht
By Gustav Mahler
Sung by Christine Schäfer, accompanied by the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Capriccio (C5101)
Symphony No. 4 in G Major
By Gustav Mahler
Performed by the Cologne Gurzenich Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Oehms Classics (OC649)
Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, “Resurrection”: Urlicht
By Gustav Mahler
Sung by Michaela Schuster, accompanied by the Cologne Gurzenich Orchestra, conducted by Markus Stenz
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.
Oehms Classics (OC647)
© 2020 Aaron Cohen