As year-end holidays approach, it is often heard about those Christmas choirs on streets. But I think of the New Year Concert in Vienna, those Waltz, Polka and March from the Strauss family.
Vienna, the city of music and the city of my dream --- in 1913, Rudolf Sieczynski composed the popular song “Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume” (Vienna, city of my dreams). It was the period of defiance and uncertainty, but Sieczynski’s song captures the authentic timeless charming spirit of Vienna, that takes listeners on a sentimental journey to the great city.
For me, the most magic twist is the transition verse:
“Dann hört' ich aus weiter Ferne ein Lied,
Das klingt und singt, das lockt und zieht…”
(Then, I heard in the distance a song,
it sounds wonderful and sings, it seduces me.)
That’s exactly how Vienna spreads the spell on me.
(Now I should plan my trip to come back to Vienna again…)
It has become a popular recital piece for many singers. But Fritz Wunderlich’s interpretation is definitely my favorite.
Fritz Wunderlich accompanied by orchestra
The other version by German soprano Lotte Lehmann accompanied by piano is also charming, emotion of nostalgia.
Finally, we should listen one of the Viennese Signatures – Vienna Boys Choir – singing the song about Vienna.
Lyrics in German
Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume
Mein Herz und mein Sinn
Schwärmt stets nur für Wien,
Für Wien, wie es weint, wie es lacht !
Da kenn ich mich aus,
Da bin i halt z'Haus,
Bei Tag und noch mehr bei der Nacht.
Und keiner bleibt kalt
Ob jung oder alt,
Der Wien, wie es wirklich ist, kennt
Müßt' ich einmal fort
Von dem schönen Ort,
Da nähm' meine Sehnsucht kein End.
Dann hört' ich aus weiter Ferne ein Lied,
Das klingt und singt, das lockt und zieht:
Wien, Wien, nur du allein
Sollst stets die Stadt meiner Träume sein !
Dort, wo die alten Häuser stehn,
Dort, wo die lieblichen Mädchen gehn !
Wien, Wien, nur du allein
Sollst stets die Stadt meiner Träume sein!
Dort, wo ich glücklich und selig bin,
Ist Wien, ist Wien, mein Wien !
Translation in English (by Soprano Barbara Bonney)
Vienna, the city of my dreams
My heart and my thoughts
are always with Vienna,
with Vienna, as it cries and it laughts.
I know my way around,
I’m at home here,
by day, and even more at night.
And no one is disappointed,
whether young or old,
who knows Vienna as it really is.
If I had to leave
this wonderful place,
my longing would never end.
Then, I heard in the distance a song,
it sounds wonderful and sings, it seduces me.
Vienna, Vienna, only you
shall be the city of my dreams.
There, where the old houses stand,
there where there are pretty girls.
Vienna, Vienna, only you
shall be the city of my dreams.
This is where I am happy and blissful,
it’s Vienna, it’s Vienna, my Vienna.
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