Dem Fernen 1839
22.9 x 27.6 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1140987
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Music manuscript, 2 pages
The Prince composed piano accompaniments for about thirty songs in the 1830s and 1840s, and was a gifted performer on both piano and organ.
Prince Albert was a keen composer and wrote a number of love songs for Queen Victoria. In Dem Fernen (From afar), written during the couple’s engagement, he speaks of sending thoughts to a distant loved one. The first page is annotated by Victoria: ‘Composed by dear Albert at Windsor Castle & sent to me by him Jan 5 1840’. At this time, Albert was in Germany, preparing to move to England for his marriage to the Queen.
'Dem Fernen' translates as 'From afar'. Translated, the first verse is:
'From far away through the still night, I send my greetings forth
And from my yearning heart his gentle words are heard
Only thoughts fly over hills and dales, only a glance
And so the pale moon silently his greetings returns'
Provenance
Presented to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha, 5 January 1840
[Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010, pg 456]
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Measurements
22.9 x 27.6 cm (book measurement (conservation))
23.0 x 27.5 cm (whole object)