Buch Suleika
Author: Johann Wolfgang Goethe / Marianne Willemer
Book bought from the book store in Pergamon Museum Berlin
Inspired by a Persian poet Hafez / Hafis (1325-1389), Goethe written 12 books of poem called West-Eastern Divan. Book of Suleika in one of the twelve. At time he was writing the poems, he exchanged letters with Marianne Willemer, she also contributed in the poetry collection.
In “Book of Suleika” is the famous poem “Gingo biloba” collected. I like this poem, because I like the tree, especially its golden leaves in Autumn. Some German I know even framed this poem and hang it on the wall at living room or corridor.
West-Eastern Divan’s oriental touch encouraged cross cultural exchange. Such as Hafis-Goethe-Denkmal monument in Weimar , a gift from UNESCO on the occasion of the International Year (2000) of the Dialogue of Culture. Also the West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra is an orchestra founded to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This poetry collection also has an influence in music. Principal composers like Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann tailor-made music to those exquisite poetry. You can have a look at the version of Robert Schumann Op. 25 No. 9. Suleika’s Song
With what heartfelt contentment,
O song, do I sense your meaning!
Lovingly you seem to say:
That I am at his side;
That he ever thinks of me,
And ever bestows his love’s rapture
On her who, far away,
Dedicates her life to him.
For my heart, dear friend, is the mirror,
Wherein you have seen yourself;
And this the breast where your seal is imprinted
Kiss upon kiss.
Your sweet verses, their unsullied truth
Chain me in sympathy;
Love’s pure embodied radiance
In the garb of poetry!
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Provided via Oxford Lieder (www.oxfordlieder.co.uk)
