Sung by JOHN ARMSTRONG (Tenor) Zueignung (Dedication), Op. ]0,
No. I
Nichts (Nought), Op. 10, No. 2
Ieh trage meine Minne (I'll bear my love). On. 32. No. 1
Heimliche Aufforderung (Secret Persuasion),
Op. 27, No. 3
RICHARD STRAUSS (born 1864) is well known to us all as one of the most famous of living composers, whose Orchestral works and Operas are performed over a great part of the world. Last year Strauss came to London to conduct the first British performance of his Rosenkavalier music, arranged as the accompaniment to a film. We remember, too, his conducting one of the B.B.C.'s National Concerts at the Albert Hall.
The songs of Strauss have contributed less to his fame than his larger works, but among the hundred-and-twenty or so that he has written some have become very popular. Leading characteristics of his songs are romantic feeling, rich harmony and freedom of form.
Zueignung, a great favourite, is frankly tuneful and effective-just a lover's thanksgiving.
Nichts is the reply of one who has been asked to describe his Queen of Song. What can we say of supreme splendour such as that of the sun ? he asks. It cannot be described. We only know it as the source of life and light. No more can ho tell of the glories of his Queen.
In Ich trage meine Minne a lover apostrophises his lady, declaring that he will adore in secret her who sheds light in the darkest night. This song is unlike most of Stiauss' love-songs. It is simple-minded music, with a bright, clear melody. The first verse (which recurs at the end) might have been taken from a volume of German folk-songs.
Heimlichc Aufforderung starts off with a genial tune—' Eat, drink and be merry, love, on this festive day.' Soon the voice is lowered-' but afterwards we wilt steal forth into the garden together.' The whispering tone becomes more glowing, but the song ends in tranquillity.