I came across the phrase “forest eyes” or “woods eyes” many years ago in an essay by some naturalist or other (unfortunately I do not recall the author, and I have never been able to find it again). The phrase was used to describe the altered state of perception a person experiences in a forest environment, becoming attuned to a much greater level of detail. If you look closely at the forest floor, it reveals endlessly repeated but always slightly varied patterns, an organic but extreme intricacy impossible to fully replicate in human art. I was interested in exploring this idea musically, and I realized it would mesh perfectly with a song by Clara Schumann (Leibeszauber) and a song by Robert Schumann (Im Wald) that also deal with woodland imagery and human perception. In the poetic texts set by both Schumanns, the sights and sounds of the forest become a metaphor for the emotional state of the speaker, but each poet and each composer apply a very different emotional interpretation to the same flora and fauna. While both texts mention woods, birds, deer, and the scent of flowers, in the text set by Robert these images reflect the poet’s bitter loneliness, whereas in the text set by Clara they mirror an ecstatic love recalled with nostalgia. My own musical and video contributions endeavor to synthesize these two views, and also take a more objective look the forest floor: its patterns, colors, and textures.  
Im Wald Text by Karl Wolfgang Müller-von Königswinter (1816-1873) Ich zieh’ so allein in den Wald hinein! O sieh zwei Falter fliegen! Sie tummeln sich durch die Luft, Und wenn sie ruh’n, so wiegen Sie sich in der Blumen Duft, Und ich bin so allein, voll Pein! Ich zieh’ so allein in den Wald hinein! O sieh zwei Vöglein erschrocken Entstieben dem warmen Nest! Doch singen und suchen und locken Sie hoch sich im Geäst, Und ich bin so allein, voll Pein! Ich zieh’ so allein in den Wald hinein! O sieh zwei Rehe zieh’n An der grünen Halde zumal! Und wie sie mich seh’n, entflieh’n Sie fern in Berg und Tal, Und ich bin so allein, voll Pein!Translation: Translation: I walk all alone through the forest! Oh, see those two butterflies flying! They romp through the air and when they rest, they rock themselves in the fragrance of the flowers, and I am so alone, full of pain! I walk all alone through the forest! Oh, see those two little startled birds scattered from their warm nest! yet they sing, seek, and beckon to each other, high in the branches, and I am so alone, full of pain! I walk all alone through the forest! Oh, see those two deer walking together on the green hillside! And when they see me, they run far off over mountain and valley, and I am so alone, full of pain!   Liebeszauber Text by Emmanuel Geibel (1815-1884) Die Liebe saß als Nachtigall Im Rosenbusch und sang; Es flog der wundersüße Schall Den grünen Wald entlang. Und wie er klang, - da stieg im Kreis Aus tausend Kelchen Duft, Und alle Wipfel rauschten leis’, Und leiser ging die Luft; Die Bäche schwiegen, die noch kaum Geplätschert von den Höh’n, Die Rehlein standen wie im Traum Und lauschten dem Getön. Und hell und immer heller floß Der Sonne Glanz herein, Um Blumen, Wald und Schlucht ergoß Sich goldig roter Schein. Ich aber zog den Weg entlang Und hörte auch den Schall. Ach! was seit jener Stund’ ich sang, War nur sein Widerhall. Translation: Love sat like a nightingale In the rosebush and sang the wonderfully sweet tones flew throughout the green forest. And as it rang out, there arose in a circle fragrance from a thousand flowers and all the treetops rustled softly, and softly moved the air The brooks were quiet, they scarcely Splashed from the heights The fawns stood as though in a dream And listened to the tone And bright and ever brighter poured The sun's shine down about blossoms, wood, and gorge poured the golden red glow. I walked along the path and also heard the sound Ah! All that I have sung since that hour has been but its echo.  
Video and fixed electronics are compiled from video/audio recorded by the composer, and video/audio obtained from the following public domain/creative commons sources: "Song Birds As Neighbors" (video) "Home Movies: Northwest" (video) "Journey through a Day" (video) "Insects on Flowers" (video) "Turdus migratorius" (audio)

Get NEBULA in your inbox