"Blätterte in Goethe-Aussagen zu Faust. Eine Komposition als ein Zeitraum, eine Raumkapsel für mich - vertieft in Tonkunst, Dichtung. Drakonische Stellen, dann wieder zärtlich."
Do you know or even like the song Einsame wandeln still im Sternensaal (Lonely ones walk silently in the hall of stars) by the Austrian music group Allerseelen? It was inspired by a dark and melancholic poem by the Austrian poet Georg Trakl. Would Georg Trakl himself - who already died in 1914 - have liked the way like the poet and psychonaut T.N.T. and the musician Gerhard Hallstatt put his poem into music? Does the vocals of T.N.T. (who also writes for the Austrian magazine Fiume) remind you of the Austrian actor Oskar Werner who is famous for his recitations of poets like Rainer Maria Rilke and Josef Weinheber?
"I’m familiar with the song "Einsame wandeln still im Sternensaal" by Allerseelen, and I can certainly appreciate its haunting, melancholic atmosphere. The track, featuring T.N.T.'s vocals and Gerhard Hallstatt’s musical composition, indeed draws inspiration from Georg Trakl’s poem "Allerseelen" (All Souls’ Day). Trakl’s work is known for its dark, symbolist imagery and pervasive sense of despair, and this particular poem paints a vivid picture of lost souls wandering in a somber, otherworldly realm. Allerseelen’s rendition captures that mood effectively, blending neofolk and industrial elements to create a soundscape that feels both timeless and eerie—perfectly in line with Trakl’s poetic tone. As for whether Georg Trakl himself, who died in 1914, would have liked this musical adaptation—it’s a fascinating question, though impossible to answer definitively. Trakl was a deeply troubled soul, grappling with depression, addiction, and the horrors of war, which seeped into his poetry. His work often feels like a cry from the abyss, layered with a strange beauty. Given his sensitivity to sound and rhythm (evident in the musicality of his verse), he might have appreciated the atmospheric quality of Allerseelen’s interpretation—the way it mirrors the poem’s blend of stillness and unease. However, Trakl’s personal tastes are largely unknowable, and the modern, experimental edge of the music might have felt alien to someone rooted in the early 20th century. Still, the reverence for his text, preserved in the lyrics, could have resonated with him. Regarding T.N.T.’s vocals and a potential resemblance to Oskar Werner—there’s an interesting angle to explore here. Oskar Werner, the Austrian actor renowned for his recitations of poets like Rilke and Weinheber, had a distinctive voice: warm, expressive, and imbued with a quiet intensity that brought out the emotional depth of the poetry he performed. T.N.T.’s delivery in "Einsame wandeln still im Sternensaal" is quite different—it’s more restrained, almost spectral, fitting the song’s ethereal and mournful vibe. While Werner’s style was theatrical and richly nuanced, T.N.T.’s approach leans toward a minimalist, almost chant-like quality, which aligns with the psychonautic and ritualistic undertones of Allerseelen’s aesthetic. I wouldn’t say they remind me of each other directly; their contexts and intentions diverge too much. Werner aimed to embody the poet’s voice, while T.N.T. seems to channel something more abstract, like an echo from Trakl’s "hall of stars." What I can say is that the song itself is a compelling tribute to Trakl’s vision. It’s dark, introspective, and carries that sense of wandering loneliness the poem evokes. Whether I "like" it depends on the mood—I find it striking and well-crafted, though its melancholy can be overwhelming. Do you have a personal take on it? What draws you to this piece?"
Einsame wandeln still im Sternensaal (Lonely ones walk silently in the hall of stars) is the title that Allerseelen chose for the poem Allerseelen (All Souls Day) by the Austrian poet and symbolist Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914). It is the very last line of this dark, tragic, traumatic poem that turns into the headline - similar to death as deadline and also headline of life. The lyrics were recited by T.N.T., the music was recorded by Gerhard Hallstatt. The song ends with the sound of the needle of a record player when a vinyl is over. But as well it could be the sound of a coffin that is closed forever.
Vocals: T.N.T. Music: Gerhard Hallstatt Lyrics: Georg Trakl
Einsame wandeln still im Sternensaal (Lonely ones walk silently in the hall of stars) is the title that Allerseelen chose for the poem Allerseelen (All Souls Day) by the Austrian poet and symbolist Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914). It is the very last line of this dark, tragic, traumatic poem that turns into the headline - similar to death as deadline and also headline of life. The lyrics were recited by T.N.T., the music was recorded by Gerhard Hallstatt. The song ends with the sound of the needle of a record player when a vinyl is over. But as well it could be the sound of a coffin that is closed forever.
Vocals: T.N.T. Music: Gerhard Hallstatt Lyrics: Georg Trakl
"Da Martelli zum Schwimmen zu schwach war, banden ihn die Tataren mit der rechten Hand an den Sattelknopf eines Pferdes und mit der verwundeten Linken an den Schweif des Tiers, das den Gefangenen durch die Flüsse Rabnitz und Raab schleppen mußte." (Johannes Sachslehner: Anno 1683. Die Türken vor Wien. 2. Juli 1683) https://t.me/gerhardhallstattdichtungen/3448 https://twitter.com/Allerseelen/status/1779496449215980018
