Richard Strauss' last song: A musical farewell to life

Richard Strauss' last song: A musical farewell to life

What is a great musical work if it is called the last one by the composer? In the late years of his life, in 1948, Richard Strauss created a masterpiece with his “four last songs” that still touches many generations. At that time, the composer was already 84 years old and his home Europe still suffered from the consequences of the Second World War. But in this darkness his last sound worlds shine bright and clear.

The "Four last songs" include the pieces "Spring", "September", "when going to bed" and "in the evening red" - the latter, which was completed on May 6, 1948, bears the words of Joseph von Eichendorff. This text addresses hiking through need and joy and ends with the central question "Is this death?". This is interpreted by many as astonished question that arises in the face of peace. my-kirchenzeitung.de reports that the music is not understood as a dead song, but as a home and quiet redemption.

a life full of experiences

In the "four last songs", the experiences of two elderly are reflected that "experienced so much". Strauss himself, incredulously, nevertheless created a kind of metaphysical liturgy that does not interpret death as an end, but as a last transformation. The central question in the song is compared to the last question of Christ on the cross, which makes the music even more profound. At Strauss ’composition, the music is described as light; It does not strive for explanations, but wants to become quiet.

according to Wikipedia was the premiere of these songs on May 22, 1950 in the Royal Albert Hall in London, under the direction of the famous Wilhelm Furtwängler with the soprano Kirsten Flagstad. This achievement was financially supported by the Maharaja by Mysore and remains unforgettable in music history. In view of the composer's dwindling health, the question arises: How did this fact shape his last tones?

a transcendent experience

The songs primarily address death and farewell. In the harmonies of "In the evening red", Strauss quotes his own earlier works, such as "death and transfiguration". These musical appendices give the "four last songs" a special depth and a sustainable impression. In addition, the sophistication of Strauss ’composition technology is shown in the instrumentation - among other things with flutes, oboes, clarinets and horns. This musical diversity complements the deep lyrical topics and gives the entire performance its unique character. de.wikipedia.org emphasizes that Strauss ’inspiration also went from Hermann Hesse, whose poems also gave him valuable impulses.

summarized can be said that "the four last songs" are far more than an epilogue of a composer. They invite the audience: inside, to deal with the topic of life and transformation. The last impression that Strauss leaves is not that of decay, but that of hope of returning to the roots - a truly transcendent experience that hesitates long after the last note.