"Der Nussbaum" (The Walnut Tree) is the third song from Robert Schumann's song cycle Myrthen (Myrtles), Op. 25. Composed during Schumann's celebrated "Year of Song" (Liederjahr) in 1840, Myrthen was presented to his beloved Clara Wieck on the eve of their wedding on September 12, 1840 — a deeply personal gift adorned with myrtle blossoms, the traditional symbol of love and marriage.
The text is by the German poet Julius Mosen (1803–1867). The poem paints a delicate scene: a walnut tree before a house spreads its leafy branches, bearing fragrant blossoms. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves, which seem to whisper of a bridegroom and of the coming year. A young maiden listens, lost in thought, and drifts into sleep with a smile — dreaming of love and her impending union.
Set in G major, the song features a gently undulating piano accompaniment built on flowing semiquaver arpeggios that evoke the rustling of the walnut tree's leaves in a summer breeze. The through-composed form allows the music to unfold naturally alongside the poem's imagery. Dominant sixth suspensions lend the harmony a characteristic warmth and tenderness.
The integration of piano and voice is remarkably subtle — the piano's melodic motif both precedes and follows the vocal phrases, and later transforms into a delicate counterpoint against the voice. This technique of seamlessly blending accompaniment and melody would profoundly influence later composers, particularly Johannes Brahms.
Myrthen holds a special place in the history of German Lied. The cycle draws texts from seven poets — including Goethe, Heine, Rückert, Burns, and Byron — creating a rich tapestry of love poetry. "Der Nussbaum," along with the opening "Widmung" (Dedication), remains one of the most frequently performed songs from the collection, beloved for its intimate charm and lyrical beauty.
Composed in
1840
Opus
Op. 25, No. 3
Source
Public Domain
