Papers relating to Prince Albert’s personal life and enthusiasms
Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61)
Dem Fernen 1839
22.9 x 27.6 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1140987
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.
'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'
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'
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Creator(s)
View person pagePrince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61) (composer)
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22.9 x 27.6 cm (book measurement (conservation))
23.0 x 27.5 cm (whole object)
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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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Object type(s)
- printed & manuscript material
- music scores
- manuscript music scores
- music scores
Subject(s)
- Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
- Music
- Musical forms
- Scores. Parts (music)
- Vocal music
- Vocal chamber music. Songs. Ballades. Lieder
- Musical forms
- Music
- printed & manuscript material
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The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.