Carl Maria von Weber - DER FREISCHÜTZ - Jägerchor (Hunters' chorus)

DER FREISCHÜTZ
Romantische Oper in 3 Aufzügen
Composer: Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826)
Libretto: Johann Friedrich Kind
First performance: Schauspielhaus Berlin, 18 June 1821

SETTING: Bohemia, at the end of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)

PLOT: The ‘Freischütz’ is a marksman who has made a pact with the devil for ‘Freikugeln’, magic bullets that can shoot whatever he wants; the seventh bullet, however, is the devil’s. In Weber’s opera, Kaspar, the assistant forester, has sold his soul to Samiel, the Black Huntsman, and is due to lose it the next day. Kaspar persuades Max, an assistant forester, to make magic bullets; Max has to show his prowess at a competition the next day to succeed the head forester and marry his daughter Agathe. In this way, Kaspar hopes to gain another three years of life. Despite Agathe and her cousin Ännchen’s warnings, Max goes to the dreadful Wolf’s Glen at midnight, where Kaspar summons Samiel and makes the magic bullets. Kaspar’s plans fail; Samiel drags him to hell, and, after a year of probation, Max will marry Agathe.

No. 15 - Jägerchor: ‘Was gleicht wohl auf Erden’
In a romantic landscape, huntsmen sing of the joys of their life.

Chor des Bayerischen Radiofunks

Conductor: Eugen Jochum
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Radiofunks
Munich, 1959

[thebigloc]

When I was 9 back in 1992 I came third in a recorder competition for playing this tune. Always loved this piece, it is so powerful.

[TheYaoiSurgeon]

I’m an intermediate violinist, and this is my favourite song from my lesson books. When I first heard my instructor play it, I was like”HELL NO, I’L NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY THIS.” Now I can, even if it’s a bit rough.

[vminthorn]

This is my cell phone ring tone - love it and don't mind robocalls any more, just let all calls ring to the end....

[darias.]

Wunderschön! Ein wahres Meisterwerk!!! 🌷🌷🌷🌷Ich liebe dieses Lied! Ich finde keine Worte, das ist einfach wunderschön!😭😭😭😭

[whaleback]

I learned this music as a 7th grader, in 1963. My country was quite poor then and radio was a luxury. The only music instrument my schools had were small organs carried by two on-duty students to the classrooms. Yet our music textbooks compiled by our national committee included the best melodies in the world such as this one, operas, symphonies, German Lieder, etc. I could not afford a concert ticket until I started working as a computer programmer. Yet my whole life has been enriched by my music education.

[matejhones]

Ty horny jsou tak nádherne nástroje a mají krásný tón.

[Матеј-вм]

greatly enjoyed this masterpiece. Respect and greetings from Serbia.

[Strein]

We learn "Hunter's Chorus" for violin in Suzuki Method volume 2.  Probably my mom's favorite!

[ankewunder]

Sehr kraftvoll gesungen! Ich stehe auf so was!

[linaura]

***SPLENDID SPLENDID SPLENDID*** GELUKKIG NEUWJAAR

[otfried]

Sehr gute Aufnahme, die vier Stimmen sind ganz deutlishc zu hören.  Wunderbar.

[birgitannelorebrubacher]

Danke Eng Lim. Thanks, Muchas Gracias, Merci beaucoup, Birgit Annelore Brubacher from Germany.

[gingsever]

King Wilhelm: I feel the need to go on a hunt
Prussian jaegers: SAY NO MORE, MEIN KOENIG

[mariahornosmiller]

Hermoso, vigoroso, expresivo!!! Bella versión.

[eunaekim]

Current and former students of the Suzuki method, hands up!

[TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Such a winder rendition. So music; and invigorating. :-)

[Jeansowaty]

This performance is really from 1959? Wow.

[ionutcatangiu]

1. Nu este pe lume plăcere mai mare 
Decât vânătoarea cu jocuri zglobii 
În sunet de cornuri să treci prin zăvoaie 
S-alergi cărprioare prin văi şi câmpii 

Refren: Ni-i viaţa voioasă, plăcerea-i divină 
Ce clipe de farmec pe veci ne supun 
În codrul cel verde sub bolta senină 
Cântarea răsună şi vinu-i mai bun. 

2. Diana prin codri ne poartă sprinţară 
Pe ger şi lumină când noaptea venind 

Purtând moartea-n lupii, mistreţii ce râmă 
Cu colţii, câmpia şi lanu-nverzit. 

Refren: Vânând noi petrecem o viaţă ferice 
Prin freamăt de codru în zori noi pornim 
Tiptil stăm la pândă, vânat să ne pice 
Şi cerbul cel ager prin văi urmărim. 
Sublimă plăcere şi nobilă este 
Mai liber te simţi, mai voinic, mai voios 
Izbânda, cînd cornul sunând ne dă veste,  
Ecouri trezite răspund zgomotos...

[MB-rmlo]

Mit leicht bayerischen Dialekt;)
Einfach klasse!

[alfonsosandoval]

Does anybody know the name of this beautiful painting and the painter's name?