IPA: /dvoɹæk/
Here is a very beautiful performance of mezzo soprano, Bernarda Fink singing two of the Dvorak Biblical Songs Op. 99.
Note: These songs were published first in 1894 for Sop./Tenor or Alto/Baritone and pianoforte. In 1895, he arranged Nos. 1-5 for orchestra and 6-10 were arranged by Zemánek.
1. Psalm 97:2-6
"Oblak a mrákota jest vůkol něho"
Oblak a mrákota jest vůkol něho,
Spravedlnost a soud základ trůnu jeho.
Óheň předchází jej a zapaluje
vůkol nepřátele jeho.
Zasvěcujít' se po okršku světa blýskání jeho;
To vidouc země děsí se.
Hory jako vosk rozplývají
se před obličejem Hospodina,
Panovníka vší země.
A slávu jeho spatřují všichni národové.
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Clouds and Darkness are around Him:
justice and judgment are foundations of His throne.
Fire goeth before Him, and sets on fire his enemies around Him.
His lightnings flash around the world:
the earth sees it, and trembles.
Mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
the Lord of the whole earth.
and His glory is seen by all the Nations.
2. Psalms 119:114-117,119,120
"Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi"
Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi,
Na slovo vzaté očekávám.
Odstuptež ode mne, nešlechetníci,
Abych ostříhal přikázáni Boha svého.
Posiluj mne, bych zachován byl,
A patřil ku stanoveným Tvým ustavičně.
Děsí se strachem před Tebou tělo mé,
Nebo soudů Tvých bojím se náramně.
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Thou art my refuge and my shield: I await Thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers:
so that I keep the commandments of my God.
Give me strength, so that I shall be saved,
and that I observe your law always.
My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee;
For I am afraid of Thy judgments, exceedingly.
Translations and more information can be found HERE.
Here are Bernarda Fink and Roger Vignoles performing Dvorak's song cycle Gypsy Songs Op. 55.
Text
1.My song sounds of lovewhen the old day is dying;it is sowing its shadows
and reaping a collections of pearls. My song resonates with longingwhile my feet roam distant lands.My homeland is in the distant wilderness -my song stirs with nationalism. My song loudly resounds of lovewhile unplanned storms hasten.I'm glad for the freedom that I no longer have a portion in the dying of a brother.
As a gypsy song when death is imminent -
the death of a gypsy brings an end
to song, dance, love and all concerns!
To song, dance, love and all concerns!
3. The forest is quiet all around;
only the heart is disturbing the peace.
As if black smoke is flowing,
tears flow down my cheeks and so they dry.
They need not dry -
let other cheeks feel them.
The one who can in sorrow sing
will not die but lives and lives on.
4 When my old mother taught me to sing,
Strange that she often had tears in her eyes.
And now I also weep,
when I teach gipsy children to play and sing!
5.The string is taut - young man turn, spin, twirl!
Today reach the heights, tomorrow down again and
after tomorrow, at the holy table of the Nile.
The taut string is stretched - turn young man - turn and twirl!
6.Wide sleeves and wide trousers have
more freedom than a robe of gold.
The robe of gold constricts the chest
and the song within the body dies.
He who is happy - his song blooms with wishes
that the whole world would lose its taste for gold.
7.Given a cage to live in made of pure gold,
the Gypsy would exchange it
for the freedom of a nest of thorns.
Just as a wild horse rushes to the wasteland,
seldom bridled and reined in,
so too the gypsy nature has been given eternal freedom.
Here is Renée Fleming singing her signature aria from Dvorak's Opera, Rusalka.
