Mozart and the cittern
German citternist and singer Martina Rosenberger had a recital recently in which she performed Mozart's "Komm, liebe Zither" (KV 351), accompanying her soprano singing friend on a 6-course Waldzither tuned like an 18th-century cittern. Here are the lyrics, in German and in a more-or-less literal English translation.
Komm, liebe Zither, komm, du Freundin stiller Liebe, du sollst auch meine Freundin sein. Komm' dir vertrau' ich die geheimsten meiner Triebe, nur dir vertrau' ich meine Pein, dir vertrau ich meine Pein.
Come, Dear Cittern, come, friend of my beloved - You shall be my friend, as well. Only with you shall I share my secret desires; Only with you shall I share my lover's grief.
Sag ihr an meiner statt, ich kann's ihr noch nicht sagen, wie ihr so ganz mein Herz gehšrt. Sag' ihr an meiner statt, ich darf' s ihr noch nicht klagen, wie sich fŸr sie mein Herz verzehrt, sich fŸr sie mein Herz verzehrt.
Tell her for me what I must not tell her yet, How my heart belongs to her completely; Tell her for me - I mustn't complain to her yet - How my heart is consumed with love for her.
Martina has very kindly agreed to share her arrangement for 18th-century cittern, which she has based on the published version for mandolin.
