SONGS by ' RICHARD STRAUSS
Sung by JOHN ARMSTRONG (Tenor)
THOUGH Richard Strauss is best known to the general public as the composer of works in the larger forms, in the shape ot his Symphonic Poems and Operas, he has written also a very great number of songs, which constitute an important part of his total output. There are indeed those who reckon his productions in this branch of the art among his greatest achievements.
Strauss' songs became known early to the British public, since examples of them figured prominently, as some whose memories go back far enough may recall, in the programmes of the famous Strauss Festival, given in London, at the old St. James' Hall in 1903, when they were interpreted with great charm by the composer's wife, at that time a well-known operatic singer, Pauline De Ahna.
In point of style and general character Strauss' songs cover a wide range. Some are deeply felt and expressive, such as ' Traum durch die Dämmerung ' (the most famous of them all), " Zjdibnunb,' ' Ruhe meine Seele,' and many more of tho highest beauty. Others are passionate and brilliant, electrifying in their ardour and glow, such as ' Heimliche Aufforderung ' and ' Cäcilie.' Yet others , of which the Steinklopfers Lied ' is a typical example, deal with the less pleasant aspects of life in a manner appropriately grim and harsh; while others again such as the lovely ' Morgen ' and the delicious 'Muttertäandelei,' are idyllic in their simplicity and charm.
That all are on the same level of inspiration it would of course bo too much to expect, and Strauss has himself explained, in a highly interesting letter which he wrote concerning his methods of composition, why it would be idle to expect this. ' For some time,' he wrote, ' I will have no impulse to compose at all. Then one evening I will bo turning the leaves of a volume of poetry and a poem will strike my eye. I read it through ; it agrees with the mood I am in ; and at once the appropriate music is fitted to it. I am in a musical frame of mind, and all I want is the right poetic vessel into which to pour my ideas. If good luck throws i this in my way a satisfactory song results.' But if, he added, the poem was not the right one, or he was not in the mood, then things worked out very differently and, hard as he might try, the result was never satisfactory.
But this is, of course, the way with all composers. It is only a pity that a larger proportion of Strauss' finest songs are not more regularly sung in England, where the tendency is to ring the changes perpetually on just a few of the best known, and many will doubtless be glad to make acquaintance with some of the less familiar examples which Mr. John Armstrong is introducing.