Rondel (Elgar)

”Rondel” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1894 as his Op.16, No.3. The words are by Longfellow, a translation of a Rondel by Froissart. The manuscript is dated 4 January 1894.

The song was first performed by Charles Phillips in St. James's Hall on 7 December 1897.

The song was first published in 1896, by Ascherberg. It was re-published in 1907 as one of the Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar, with English and German words.

Lyrics

German words by Ed. Sachs.

English RONDEL Love, what wilt thou with this heart, this heart of mine? Nought see I sure or fixed in thee! I do not know thee, nor what deeds are thine: Love, what wilt thou with this heart, this heart of mine? Nought see I fixed or sure in thee! Nought see I fixed or sure in thee! Shall I be mute, or vows with prayers combine? Ye who are blessed in loving, tell it me: Love, what wilt thou with this heart, this heart of mine? Nought see I permanent or sure in thee, Nought see I permanent or sure in thee: Love, Love, what wilt thou with this heart of mine? .

German RONDEL Lieb', Lieb', was willst du Mit dem Herz, dem Herzen mein? Nicht kenn' ich dich, Noch dein Begehr! Nichts scheint mir fest in dir, Noch klar zu sein: Lieb', was willst du Mit dem Herz, dem Herzen mein? Nicht kenn' ich dich, Noch dein Begehr! Nicht kenn' ich dich Noch dein Begehr! Bleibe ich stumm, soll liebevoll ich sein? Ihr, die ihr liebt, Lasst mich nicht zweifeln mehr: Lieb', was willst du Mit dem Herz, dem Herzen mein? Nicht kenn' ich standhaft dich, Noch dein Begehr, Nicht kenn' ich standhaft dich, Noch dein Begehr, Lieb', Lieb', Was willst du mit dem Herzen mein?

 • Elgar reversed the positions of "sure" and "fixed" in the second line

Recordings

• Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "Rondel" performed by Mark Wilde (tenor), with David Owen Norris (piano).
• The Songs of Edward Elgar SOMM CD 220 Neil Mackie (tenor) with Malcolm Martineau (piano), at Southlands College, London, April 1999

References

• Banfield, Stephen, Sensibility and English Song: Critical studies of the early 20th century (Cambridge University Press, 1985) ISBN 0-521-37944-X
• Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0-19-315414-5
• Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0-19-315447-1