Richard Strauss composed his 8 Gedichte aus “Letzte Blätter” von Hermann Gilm in 1885. By no means his first essays in the genre of the German Lied, these eight songs were, however, the first Strauss felt confident enough to assign an opus number to, and the collection was published in 1887 by Joseph Aibl Verlag in Munich. Though Strauss’s many songs perhaps do not receive the attention and praise they deserve, the song of opus 10 mark the beginning of the composer’s lifelong devotion to the German Lied. Of its eight songs, “Zueignung,” “Allerseelen,” and “Die Nacht” standout from the remainder of the collection, and are among Strauss’s most well-known creations for the voice.
Opening the set is “Zueignung” (“Dedication”). In a majestic C major, Strauss’s setting perfectly matches the devotion and solemnity of Gilm’s text. Unhurried triplet arpeggios and a sturdy bass supports the voice’s hymn-like melody as it arches effortlessly before coming to a deceptive close in the key of the subdominant. The first two stanzas are set to near similar music. During the third, however, Strauss builds to a lush and powerful climax, letting the voice soar to a high A, and emphasizing the only repeated word in the poem, “heilig” (“blessed”). The voice quickly retreats from this peak, but the piano continues on, delaying the final appearance of the phrase that has closed each of the poem’s stanzas—Habe dank” (“Have thanks”). The voice’s final leap upwards prompts the piano to ascend upward into its highest register, bringing the song to a majestic close.Joseph DuBose
Zueignung (‘Dedication’)
Yes, you know dear Soul, that I am tortured when far from you. Love makes the heart suffer. Thanks to you!
Once I, the one who delighted in freedom, held the amethyst cup And you blessed the drink. Thanks to you!
And exorcised the evil ones therein, Until I, as I had ever been, Holy, holy on your heart, I sank. Thanks to you!
Classical Music | Soprano
Richard Strauss
Zueignung, Op. 10, No. 1 Play
Recorded on 04/17/2013, uploaded on 09/18/2013
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Richard Strauss composed his 8 Gedichte aus “Letzte Blätter” von Hermann Gilm in 1885. By no means his first essays in the genre of the German Lied, these eight songs were, however, the first Strauss felt confident enough to assign an opus number to, and the collection was published in 1887 by Joseph Aibl Verlag in Munich. Though Strauss’s many songs perhaps do not receive the attention and praise they deserve, the song of opus 10 mark the beginning of the composer’s lifelong devotion to the German Lied. Of its eight songs, “Zueignung,” “Allerseelen,” and “Die Nacht” standout from the remainder of the collection, and are among Strauss’s most well-known creations for the voice.
Opening the set is “Zueignung” (“Dedication”). In a majestic C major, Strauss’s setting perfectly matches the devotion and solemnity of Gilm’s text. Unhurried triplet arpeggios and a sturdy bass supports the voice’s hymn-like melody as it arches effortlessly before coming to a deceptive close in the key of the subdominant. The first two stanzas are set to near similar music. During the third, however, Strauss builds to a lush and powerful climax, letting the voice soar to a high A, and emphasizing the only repeated word in the poem, “heilig” (“blessed”). The voice quickly retreats from this peak, but the piano continues on, delaying the final appearance of the phrase that has closed each of the poem’s stanzas—Habe dank” (“Have thanks”). The voice’s final leap upwards prompts the piano to ascend upward into its highest register, bringing the song to a majestic close. Joseph DuBose
Zueignung (‘Dedication’)
Yes, you know dear Soul, that I am tortured when far from you.
Love makes the heart suffer.
Thanks to you!
Once I, the one who delighted in freedom, held the amethyst cup
And you blessed the drink.
Thanks to you!
And exorcised the evil ones therein,
Until I, as I had ever been,
Holy, holy on your heart, I sank.
Thanks to you!
More music by Richard Strauss
Der Rosenkavalier
Sonata for Violin in E-flat Major, Op. 18
Die Zeitlose, from Letzte Blätter
Sonata for Violin in E-flat Major, Op. 18
Divertimento, op. 86
Ophelia-Lieder, op. 67
Sonata for Violin in E-flat Major, Op. 18
Einerlei, Op. 69, No. 3
Romanze for clarinet and orchestra in E flat major op.61
Mädchenblumen, Op. 22
Performances by same musician(s)
Der Mond
Good Morning, Midnight, from Emily Dickinson Songs
Heart! We Will Forget Him!, from Emily Dickinson Songs
Nobody Knows This Little Rose , from Emily Dickinson Songs
Bee! I'm Expecting You!, from Emily Dickinson Songs
En sourdine, from Fêtes galantes
Clair de lune, from Fêtes galantes
Fantoches, from Fêtes galantes
Ständchen
Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiss, from Giuditta
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