Wolkenstein: "Songs of Myself"

Oswald von Wolkenstein, born around 1377 in the picturesque Pustertal region of South Tyrol, was a multifaceted figure of the late Middle Ages, renowned as a singer, poet, composer, and diplomat. Hailing from a noble family, he was the second son of a large South Tyrolean aristocratic clan. Von Wolkenstein's life was as adventurous as his art, traveling extensively across Europe as a diplomat for Emperor Sigismund I and the Meinhardiner counts of Görz. His compositions, which spanned a wide range of themes from love and nature to politics and travel, were not only linguistically diverse, employing up to ten languages, but also musically innovative, introducing polyphonic techniques to Central Europe. As one of the last significant Minnesängers, his lyrical sensitivity and vivid storytelling made him a standout figure in German literature. Von Wolkenstein's legacy endures, celebrated through events like the annual Oswald von Wolkenstein Ritt in the Schlern area, a testament to his enduring cultural impact.