Listening Guide
The Work
Key: B minor in the piano version and the Kritische Gesamtausgabe; B-flat minor and A minor in other orchestral editions.
Tempo: Ruhig. Gleichmässig. (Restful, evenly)
Time Signature: 3/2, alternating with 2/2, 4/2 and 6/2.
Orchestration: no strings; 2 flutes; 2 oboes (oboe d’amore in A minor version); 2 clarinets; 2 bassoons and contrabassoon; 4 horns; 2 trumpets; 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, harp and piano.
Form: strophic in five verses; ABAAB.
| Um Mitternacht Hab’ ich gewacht Und aufgeblickt zum Himmel; Kein Stern vom Sterngewimmel Hat mir gelacht Um Mitternacht.
Um Mitternacht Um Mitternacht Um Mitternacht Um Mitternacht | At midnight I awake And looked up at the sky. Not a star in the galaxy Smiled at me At midnight.
At midnight At midnight At midnight At midnight |