Richard Strauss: 5 Lieder op.15 (1886) - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Richard Strauss: 5 Lieder Op.15 (1886) Poem by: 1. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) 2-5. Adolf Friedrich von Schack (1815–1894) 1. Madrigal 00:00 2. Winternacht* 02:51 3. Lob des Leidens 04:54 4. Aus den Liedern der Trauer No1 07:13 5. Heimkehr* 09:02 (orch: ???) Baryton: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Piano: Gerald Moore EMI 1967 "Winternacht" (Winter night) is an art song for voice and piano composed by Richard Strauss in 1886, setting a poem of the same title by the German poet Adolf Friedrich von Schack (1815–1894). The song is part of his collection Five songs for middle voice and piano, Op. 15, TrV 148. Composition history: Strauss set 4 songs by Adolf von Schack in his opus 15 songs. Von Schack, who was still alive in 1886, was a notable member of the Munich cultural elite, a member of the academy of sciences, notable art collector and prime mover in Bavarian literary life. Strauss starts the poem "with rain and roaring wind," writes Alan Jefferson. It will be seen that the rain and roaring wind are not the real content of this poem, for in spite of the storm raging outside the singer and his lady turn it into an indoor spring with their lovemaking. Strauss points this when he comes out of G minor, D minor and B-flat minor into the tranquil G major passage. Though in reminding us what is still going on outside, the song ends with the first motif, with the penultimate chord (C minor with added 6th) avoiding the conventional G minor close by going into G major instead. Winter Nacht 02:51 Mit Regen und Sturmgebrause Sei mir willkommen, Dezembermond, Und führ mich den Weg zum traulichen Hause, Wo meine geliebte Herrin wohnt. Nie hab' ich die Blüte des Maien, Den blauenden Himmel, den blitzenden Tau So fröhlich gegrüßt wie heute dein Schneien, Dein Nebelgebräu und Wolkengrau. Denn durch das Flockengetriebe, Schöner, als je der Lenz gelacht, Leuchtet und blüht der Frühling der Liebe Mir heimlich nun in der Winternacht. Winters' Night 02:51 With all your rain and stormy booming, I bid you welcome, December moon, And lead me on my way to the snug little house Where my beloved lady lives. Never have I greeted so happily the blossoms of May, The blue sky, and the sparkling dew, As I great your snows today - Your foggy brew and cloudy grayness. For through the driving flakes of snow, Fairer than any Spring ever smiled, A Spring of Love gleams and blossoms Secretly for me now in this winter's night. ----------------------------------- Heimkehr 09:02 Leiser schwanken die Äste, Der Kahn fliegt uferwärts, Heim kehrt die Taube zum Neste, Zu dir kehrt heim mein Herz. Genug am schimmernden Tage, Wenn rings das Leben lärmt, Mit irrem Flügelschlage Ist es ins Weite geschwärmt. Doch nun die Sonne geschieden, Und Stille sich senkt auf den Hain, Fühlt es: bei dir ist der Frieden, Die Ruhe bei dir allein.