"Singer/Song of the Day" Month

Last year, I devoted a series of posts to the month of February called "Singer of Day" Month. This year, in keeping with the tradition, I'd like to highlight the Song, Lied and Mélodie. Hopefully, it will yield some great singers, examples of great music from the song repertoire and perhaps some unknown gems.

So far we've had:
February 1: Descúbrase El Pensamiento from Canicones Amatorias (Enrique Granados)
February 2: Bachiana Brasileira No. 5 (Villa-Lobos)
February 3: Du liebst mich nicht (Schubert)
February 4: Havanaise (Viardot)
February 5: Moi genie, moi angel, moi drug (Tchaikovsky)
February 6: Ging heut Morgen übers Feld (Mahler)
February 7: Schäfer's Klagelied (Schubert)
February 8: Non,Je Ne Regrette Rien (Charles Dumont)
February 9: Von Ewiger Liebe (Brahms)
February 10: Haugtussa (Grieg)
February 11: The Sound of Freedom (Moustafa Fahmy, Mohamed Khalifa, and Mohamed Shaker)
February 12: Mutya ng Pasig (Nicanor Aberlando)
February 13: Eri già tutta mia (Monteverdi)
February 14: Lied von der belebenden Wirkung des Geldes (Hanns Eisler)
February 15: Stripsody Cathy Berbarian
February 16: Youkali Kurt Weill
February 17: Berceuses du Chat Stravinksy
February 18: Berceuses du Chat Stravinksy
February 19: Berceuses du Chat Stravinksy
February 20: Berceuses du Chat Stravinksy
February 21: Como quieres que adivine? Guridi

Lied von der belebenden Wirkung des Geldes (Eisler)

I love it when composers sing their own music, even when or especially because they don't have attractive instruments. There's something that always comes through. You can here the essence of the piece. This is one of those rare moments. Hanns Eisler sings his Lied von der belebenden Wirkung des Geldes/ Song of the Invigorating Effects of Money

There are many excellent pieces written by Eisler in collaboration with Bertolt Brecht. Many have an overt or hidden political message.

Lied von der belebenden Wirkung des Geldes
Music: Hans Eisler
Text: Bertolt Brecht

Niedrig gilt das Geld auf dieser Erden
Und doch ist sie, wenn es mangelt, kalt.
Und sie kann sehr gastlich werden
Plötzlich durch des Gelds Gewalt.
Eben war noch alles voll Beschwerden
Jetzt ist alles golden überhaucht
Was gefroren hat, das sonnt sich
Jeder hat das, was er braucht.
Rosig färbt der Horizont sich
Blicket hinan: der Schornstein raucht!"

Ja da schaut alles gleich ganz anders an.
Voller schlägt das Herz. Der Blick wird weiter.
Reichlich ist das Mahl. Flott sind die Kleider.
Und der Mann ist jetzt ein andrer Mann."


English Translation

The value of money is low on earth.
And yet it's cold, if there is a lack of it.
And it can be very hospitable
Suddenly, through the power of money.
A minute ago everything was full of complaints
Now everything is tinged with gold.
What has frozen, is now basking in the sun.
Everyone has what he needs.
The horizon is rose colored.
Gaze upwards: the chimney smokes!

Yes, soon everything looks completely different.
Full of heart beats. The gaze goes onward.
Generous meals. Stylish clothes.
And the man is now another man!

(Translation: Milagro Vargas)