{"id":3476,"date":"2018-08-23T16:30:13","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T16:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alzand.com\/?page_id=3476"},"modified":"2026-02-03T09:31:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:31:15","slug":"karim-al-zand-die-mistel-mistletoe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/?page_id=3476","title":{"rendered":"Karim Al-Zand: Music: Die Mistel [Mistletoe]"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Die Mistel [Mistletoe]<\/h2>\n

for baritone voice, piano quartet and vibraphone<\/h5>\n

D<\/span>ie Mistel [Mistletoe]<\/i> was commissioned by baritone Dietrich Henschel<\/a> as part of a special Weihnachts-Projektes [Christmas Project]. Twelve composers were commissioned to write short works reflecting on any aspect of the theme, sacred or secular. \"\"<\/a>The pieces were recorded by Henschel and members of Ensemble unitedberlin<\/a> in partnership with DeutschlandRadio. The recordings were digitally released as part of a “12 Days of Christmas” musical Adventskalender [advent calendar]. Die Mistel [Mistletoe]<\/i> reflects on a certain nostalgia and reminiscence that seems to me an important emotional facet of the holiday. It uses texts in English (Walter de la Mare) and German (Ferdinand Freiligrath) about mistletoe and its romantic associations. The CD X-mas Contemporary<\/strong><\/i>, with Dietrich Henschel, baritone; Ensemble unitedberlin, Vladimir Jurowski, conductor is on FARAO Classics B 108 106<\/a>.<\/br>
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Mistletoe<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sitting under the mistletoe
\n(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
\nOne last candle burning low,
\nAll the sleepy dancers gone,
\nJust one candle burning on,
\nShadows lurking everywhere:
\nSome one came, and kissed me there.<\/p>\n

Tired I was; my head would go
\nNodding under the mistletoe
\n(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
\nNo footsteps came, no voice, but only,
\nJust as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
\nStooped in the still and shadowy air
\nLips unseen\u2014and kissed me there.<\/p>\n

Walter de la Mare<\/i><\/p>\n

Mit der Festzeit Laub
\nIst das Haus bekr\u00e4nzt
\nDie Tanne duftet,
\ndie Stechpalme gl\u00e4nzt,<\/p>\n

Und vom Balkonknauf,
\nwei\u00dfbeerig sie,
\nLauscht die Mistel nieder,
\ndie Schelmin, die!<\/p>\n

Ferdinand Freiligrath<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cMisteltoe\u201d by Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) from Peacock Pie<\/i> (1913). Excerpt from Ferdinand Feiligrath (1810-1876) \u201eF\u00fcrs schwarze Land\u201d<\/i> [For the black country] (Weihnachten 1866).<\/p>\n

Translation:<\/p>\n

[The chamber is decked
\nWith the festal bough,
\nThe fir sheds its fragrance,
\nThe hollies glow. <\/i><\/p>\n

The mistle-toe beckons
\nFrom rafter and beam;
\nWhite-berried, it glistens
\nWith roguish gleam.]<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

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purchase score & parts<\/span><\/h4> <\/span>Learn More<\/span><\/a> <\/div>\n
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purchase CD recording<\/span><\/h4> <\/span>Learn More<\/span><\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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DATE
\n2018<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

DURATION
\n5 minutes<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

INSTRUMENTATION
\nbaritone voice, violin, viola, cello, piano, vibraphone<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

COMMISSION
\nDietrich Henschel<\/a><\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

PREMI\u00c8RE
\nDecember 7, 2019 | Konzerthaus Berlin
\nDietrich Henschel, baritone | Ensemble unitedberlin<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

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AUDIO
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<\/div><\/div><\/div> MP3<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n
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SCORE
\nPDF<\/a><\/br><\/br><\/p>\n

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VIDEO<\/br><\/p>\n