Lacrimosa, Alleine zu zweit- A Classical Musician’s First Listen And Analysis
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- #virginrock #lacrimosa
A powerful piece of music, with a compelling - and very classical - artistic expression.
Here’s the link to the original song:
• Alleine zu zweit
/ @amyscut
/ @littleliesel
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
I've been watching your reaction videos since the day you started. It is very very very surprising to see this forgotten song being brought forward from the old dusty shelves of the history. Your channel usually have very popular songs even when they are old songs. This piece was what you would call an underground piece, not very widely known, even back in the days. Kudos to whoever suggested it, I got goosebumps. Great reaction!!
I never imagined for a moment that we would ever get Lacrimosa on your channel these guys are amazing Pioneers in Swiss 🇨🇭 Gothic 💀symphonic🎶 metal 🤘 Tilo Wolff is an incredible singer and Anna Nurmi used to be in a band called two witches in the 80s from Finland. 🇫🇮
THERION! they are amazing
Especially their album Vovin.
"The Siren of the Woods" would really draw her in.
Yes! One of my favourite goth bands!
One of my favorite Goth Bands!
Great reaction Amy. Lacrimosa is a very underrated band, I really appreciate that you have them on your channel. In their discography, there is a great number of epic, long-duration tracks with very rich orchestration and choral arrangements. Some of their most epic songs: Die Strasse der Zeit, Sanctus, Fassade 1, 2, 3, Die Schreie sind verstummt, Hohelied der Liebe, Rote Sinfonie, Der freie Fall Apeiron pt 1, Apeiron pt 2. And many more.
They’re very well loved with the Goth and metal community
Der Morgen Danach, Der erste Tag, Schakal
Der erste Tag (the first day) and Die Straße der Zeit (the path of time) are amongst their finest compositions.
I love "Ich bin der brennde Komet" whose lyrics are unfortunately becoming more and more relevant.
Lacrimosa is so niche, nice to see a reaction!
I think the missing translation was the line "Die Gewohnheit vernebelt" that would be "Habit obscures" "Habit is clouding" (one's own senses/perception).
Edit:
The male and the female part in my opinion do **not** represent 2 sides, they represent the same side! This is **not** a dialog, the sing the same lines, complete each others line. Male and female are interchangeable. I think this is a quality on it's own. In this regard quite similar to "Stella Maris" by "Einstürzende Neubauten"
The duet song represents that both want to be together, have the same thoughts but don't know about each other because they don't speak to each other anymore.
Amy is just a step away now from falling in love with 2000s "beauty and the beast" doom metal. Some suggestions: After Forever, Tristania, Theatre of Tragedy, Within Temptation, the Gathering...
I would never have thought that any of the high-profile reviewers would ever review Lacrimosa. Love it! Well done!
A dream come true ...
Ooooh... you got to this one! Wonderful! I think I mentioned this band to you and Vlad when you visited me. The song "Sanctus" on this very album is one of the more interesting metal/classical fusion experiments that I heard of.
Very nice! A great band choice coming out of left field. Great way to start the week!
I would like to first thank the bandmembers from Lacrimosa for not writing the song in Swiss German, so that it possible for me to sort of follow along with it, versus being completely lost. Germans will appreciate the humor in that. My ethnicity being Bavarian and Swiss, neither one of those dialects is something one should attempt to learn unprepared. Start with Hoch Deutsch, that's challenging enough.
German is such a beautiful language, though, when people know it and how to write using it, how well it conveys concepts with minimal speech. For me, German and English are the great poetic languages. The lyrics you were translating for us were gorgeous, the writers have a special talent. Even the title "Alone as a Couple" just gets right to the point. Great piece.
Hell yeah. People rarely react to Lacrimosa and that's such a shame. Amazing band. Seen them live in 2013. Don't know why they are so underrated
Because a band is as good only as its drummer.
@@guitaristssuck8979
Huh? Why would you think this is not a good drummer? Technically it seems absolutely flawless.
I don't like the style much either but you can't take that as an excuse for wrongly critizing the skills.
@@DerEchteBold he sounds like a machine, right?
@
You think it's a drum machine?
@@DerEchteBold he thinks like one
Reminds me of the band Ghost. I think you’d really enjoy them as they are very much drama.
Great reaction, Amy!
This is what I meant when I commented few days ago that you should react to more bands out of US. There are so many different sounds and flavours that I think you would appreciate, even like.
Btw, I've never listened to Lacrimosa. I've known about the band's existance and I think I heard a song or two in a passing long time ago, but it's not really something that I would listen to by myself. And I think it has to do a lot with the vocals. I'm just not a fan.
But I loved the reaction and I enjoyed watching you. As you know, it's always a special pleasure watching you when you like the music you listen to.
Back in 1998 I listend to "Lacrimosa - Der Kelch des Lebens" on the "Inferno-Album". A sadder, even more life-sentimental, no, much more life-tragic piece wasn't possible, but as a metal fan, I've always loved music like that the most next to Soundtrack_Scores. It also made me happy, everything fell away from me. This melancholy, this melancholy that I always see in German music in "Das Boot-Soundtrack" or in songs like "Grönemeyer - Erzähl mir von Morgen", that was German melancholy, I have never liked any music better, I become very easy and light , I would also listen to this music in L.A. on Venice Beach when I drink gin and tonic and enjoy the summer. If someone would play a Reggae-Song or so, i would get nervous and aggressiv lol.. The Drums are the only bad thing in such songs ... Unfortunately, the drums bring the song too much into the Schlager range, so it's not a chanson, but German "schlager" would be better as a cool percussion arrangement. That's a bit of a problem, that these people are also a bit unsure of their taste. some German Tipps: "Unheilig - Geboren um zu leben" or newer Songs from "Joachim Witt"
There is (at least one) album by Dornenreich (most of their other music is more metal in sound and style except for "Hexenwind" which is more eerie and mystical) which does NOT use drums, but only stringed and vocal instrumentation. It has more of a free-form, modern folk sound to it, but also several more composed and dramatic moments, so its overarching style is of a rather dynamic nature. This album is called "In Luft geritzt" (carved into air). Very open in atmosphere and mood. It might be even more to your taste than Lacrimosa. Dornenreich's other music probably not so much... The band is a two-piece, at least on this album, and they are also from the alps region, either Austria or Switzerland, and their lyrics are also in German.
Another transparent, melancholy but dreamlike piece of music, containing percussion including drum sounds, but rarely driven by them, would be "Wildhoney" by a Scandinavian band called Tiamat. The band started out as a death metal outfit but over time went on to incorporate some doom and gothic elements, sometimes with a hint of folk, and later on also electronics. "Wildhoney" is their most psychedelic album, it is varied in style between the songs, but it has a nice flow to it, with the final pieces almost merging into each other, and it takes you from an afflicted, forlorn, heavily sombre and dark mood into an increasingly more dynamic and light, finally calm and peaceful place, slowly and with some echoes, ripple effects and slight setbacks of the original mood, but mainly with emphasis on the change, and an increasingly organic sound, as if it takes you from pensive midnight gloom via misty dawn, first rays of sunlight breaking through towards a more golden light and a hint of warmth right before noon-time.
Oh, and if you are into melancholy, romantic, German language songs, but more in the range of classical music, "Kunstlieder" (artfully crafted songs as opposed to traditional folk), there is a cycle of songs based on a cycle of romantic poems called "Die Winterreise" written by Wilhelm Müller in the first half of the eighteen-hundreds. The music put to these lyrics was composed by Franz Schubert. Its overarching story is one of self-chosen exile after unrequited love, taking a hike from a village into a lonely rural winter landscape, with the changing landscape, temperature, weather phenomena along the journey, and also the compositions' musical themes and mood reflecting the protagonist's emotional landscape; and it is hinted at or rather subtly implied, that by the end of it the protagonist might be hallucinating while freezing to death. Very, very German and very dark romance.
A last recommendation:
"Kindertotenlieder" by Gustav Mahler, an Austrian composer; a cycle of songs in which the death of children are being mourned, accompanied by a small orchestra playing sad and sombre classical music.
@ i don't like Dornenreich much.
Many years ago I organized a Dornenreich-concert, it was okay. I liked their Hoodie with the words "
when hearing is feeling" i liked it, but i have problems with the vocals.
Oh Amy, I do hope you also get to Temple of love by Sisters of Mercy.
Lacrimosa is one of the bands that pioneered a new style of music, but only later bands had great success with this type of music. Lacrimosa even actively helped many of these successful bands get started, for example by organizing joint tours through Europe or by ensuring that the bands got record deals despite the many prejudices that this music had at the beginning.
Lacrimosa is not only a traditional part of any piece of classical music called a Requiem (for mourning or ritually putting to rest a deceased person with a Christian ceremony).
It is also the Latin word for "tearful", or in German "tränenreich".
Interesting fact about German: "Tränenreich" with a capitalized T would also mean Empire of Tears, land of tears or reign of tears. There is an Austrian band (black metal, gothic metal, progressive neo-folk) called Dornenreich, which would translate to Empire of Thorns or, without the capital D, full of thorns. As any band name will be capitalized, the distinction between both meanings is leveled, it becomes a blurry name, a pun of sorts.
You can also see the relation between "full of" and "empire" more clearly if you hold the German "reich" / "Reich" next to the English words "rich" / "reign". They are indeed related. German "reich" and English "rich" are directly related. German "Reich" and English "reign" are related via the Latin word "regnum".
There is a German town Regensburg, most likely of that name because its castle (Burg) used to be important for the king's reign (regnum - since the main administrative language in early medieval Germany was Latin).
Another observation on what you mentioned, Amy: The blatant In-your-face-ness of Lacrimosa's blend of styles (also to be found in other compositions of theirs) has been critized more than once. Many critics have called their art (lyrically as well as compositionally) kitsch. And there is also a meme / play on word on their band name, related to the sentiment that their in-your-face / kitsch approach towards ostentential sombreness / gravitas / pathos can involuntarily border on the comedic / satirical with paradoxical effects. The post-punk / metal and electronic Gothic Music / Gothic Fashion scene is also dubbed the Dark / Black Scene. But the band Lacrimosa is often jokingly called Lackier-mich-rosa, which means Paint-me-pink or Colour-me-rosé (der Lack = the veneer, the finish).
One of my favourites as an adolescent, next to Pink Floyd and Rammstein (Im german). Its interesting what you say about their timing, im not musically trained but when you talked about their timing I realised that alot of their songs have unique ways of progressing. Looking forward to more, thank you for your impressions and insights!
Lacrimosa have a lot of this German young adolescent angst in their lyrics which you can also find in Goethe's Werther or in Wilhelm Müller's Winterreise, but with a more modern twist, a hint of either disthymia, schizoid or borderline personality, often mulling over themes of loneliness, toxic relationships, or a bit of BDSM proclivity. Dark Romantic would be an ample term when it comes to their weltschmerzy lyrics.
What a surprise seeing a reaction to Lacrimosa this is nice! I always thought they were German I'm not sure where the Swiss thing comes from maybe they moved? Since you enjoyed it, it would be really great to see more reactions maybe to the more classically inspired songs where I think you would hear more that potential you were talking and an even greater build up and release like Sanctus or Hohelied der Liebe
They are Finnish-German based currently in Switzerland.
Goodness, haven’t heard this song in millennia 😂
seen them live about 20 Jears ago, in a wonderfull little ambiente in Münster/Germany
Fun facts about German languages:
Danish and Dutch, although closely related, are languages in their own right. Danish evolved as a contact language between German and Scandinavian languages. Dutch however has more direct common roots with German via Niederdeutsch; basically a proto- modern German language spoken in the Netherlands and lower (= niedere / flat) parts of Germany (the lowlands region of both countries).
The "proper" (national) German language variants are:
- Austrian German
- German German
- Swiss German
The international (postal) country codes for Austria, Germany, Switzerland are A (Latin: Austria), D (Deutschland), and CH (Latin: Confederatio Helvetica), and collectively often written as D / A / CH or simply DACH. The beautiful thing about that abbreviation is that Dach also means roof in (all) German (languages / dialects), and furthermore that Dachbegriff (Dach-Begriff) both conceptually and as the convential literal translation means "umbrella term".
So, the umbrella term for the entire German speaking (core) region is ROOF with strong connotations of umbrella (organization; Dach-Verband = umbrella club, umbrella corporation).
Elodia is their best album, this being the best song in the album. Personally I always enjoy a bit more Einsamkeit (specially the title song). Thanks for this.
My opinion: Their album "Angst" is the greatest. Any song on that will do to analyse. And if I would have to choose: "Der Letze Hilfeschrei"
I like their albums "Einsamkeit" (loneliness / lonesomeness) and "Stille" (quietness).
@@elevenseven-yq4vu I agree on Einsamkeit, wonderfull album. Reissende blicke really stands out for me on that one. Together with "Satura" I can say I love his first 3 albums most.
@@frankylaseure2641 Lacrimosa is kind of durchwachsen for me, that's one of these words I can't find a perfect English equivalent for - hit and miss doesn't quite catch it...
I am reminded of Kurt Weill's songs.
Greetings from Ecuador! Lacrimosa is one of the very best gothic symphonic metal and rock bands of all time.
i highly recomend you: if the world stood still a day, Saphire, Liebesspiel, Stolzes Herz, Flamme in Wind, and the hole first album: Angst ;D
Used to listen to Lacrimosa a lot back then. I prefer their early darkwave stuff.
Enjoyed this reaction to a band I've never heard of before. Amy have you heard of the Dutch rock band Focus? Eruption is a long form somewhat symphonic work but there are good shorter songs too.
When the drums come in and the backup vocals it starts sounding like a 70s political song (remember the classic "el pueblo unido jamás será vencido"?). Although it makes sense how the build up of the melody goes, I would have wished for Amy's production and kept the pressure cooker going.
Hello dear lady.
Semper Fi
Well, I'm familiar with "Lacrimosa" by Z. Preisner. Do you know his music ?
Amy, please, react to power metal band dragon force with the song "Through The Fire And Flames" 7 minute version. After reviewing it I highly recommend you watch a video of them playing it live to see how insane the guitar playing actually is.
Hey! I know these guys - they are friends and friends.
ua-cam.com/video/UenLRXki8KA/v-deo.htmlsi=owuEI8rD8Lr0qmpW
Been awhile since you did Opeth. This is from the new album. Has a harp solo for you!
face of melinda or isalotion years would be great too 💔
@Ysialets I chose this for the flute and harp solo.
Could you please check out NF “Hope” rapper/singer that uses strings and piano with a movie like music production and videos are mini movies. Favourite artist, would love for you to have a listen.
I think Lords of the Lost might be a good fit.
i would like to see your reaction to Linkin Park, saludos desde España Amy
talking about gothic bands, Lacrimosa weren't the best example ever. That's what I would call a real gothic masterpiece - ua-cam.com/video/6hv85iwyvP0/v-deo.html Like most of the people I can't understand if it's man or woman.....
Yeah. But Sopor Aeternus is Darkwave, not Metal.
Otherwise great, used to listen to them around 15 years ago
@@oleksandrbyelyenko435 могу порекомендовать альбом LVL UP - Return to love или The Voidz - Tyranny Металл - не моё,
I prefer the italian band Ataraxia
Similar themes and moods, right? Dark romanticism plus dirgy weltschmerz.
Being Swiss I didn't know them. Not my kind of music.
You should listen to Nightwish, especially while Tarja was in the band. They perform in this general style but in English. 'Deep Silent Complete' is my all-time favorite.
Some Nightwish song was one of her first Metal videos and she was mostly reminded of Disney music, haha!
This music is so square and formulaic, you'll get bored of it after a while.
Come on Vlad...more Classic Rock...stop with this stuff.
Maybe someone paid for it?
Anyways, you really can't complain about a lack of Classic Rock on this channel, come on!
What a load of crap. I had to turn off.
What do you mean?
Was it the music you disliked
or the commentary on it
or the manner of presentation?
What is it exactly you dislike about it?
Your commentary doesn't add much to a conversation...
@@elevenseven-yq4vu The hideous music. I felt sorry for the poor woman she was clearly very uncomfortable. I have no interest in adding to the conversation only registering my contempt for the music.
@@007EnglishAcademyI felt like she was uncomfortable mostly with the untrained male singer who was off-key, I guess. She later said that she found the un-subtle onset of the drums quite jarring and hurting the establishment of tension. Later on she could catch onto what the composition was going for - on its own terms.
@@007EnglishAcademyIt is a song about estrangement within a romantic relationship, about the desperation of not knowing how to re-connect and whether re-alignment was possible even or maybe not even wanted by the other person involved. So, at least some hideousness might have been intentional.
@@elevenseven-yq4vu Its ghastly pretentious crap