Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

15:17

"An den Baum Daphne, AV 137" is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1942. It was premiered on May 17, 1942, in Vienna, Austria, with soprano Maria Cebotari and pianist Paul Ulanowsky. The song is part of a collection of six songs called "Six Songs, Op. 87," which Strauss composed during World War II. The song is based on the Greek myth of Daphne, a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the advances of the god Apollo. The lyrics were written by the German poet and playwright, Stefan George. The song is in German and is sung by a soprano accompanied by a piano. The song has a slow and melancholic tempo, with a haunting melody that reflects the sadness of the myth. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with long pauses between the notes, creating a sense of emptiness and loss. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases that require a skilled soprano to perform. The song is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a piano introduction that sets the mood for the song. The soprano enters with the first verse, singing about the beauty of the tree and its leaves. The second movement is more dramatic, with the soprano singing about the transformation of Daphne into a tree and the sadness of Apollo. The final movement is a return to the melancholic mood of the first movement, with the soprano singing about the eternal beauty of the tree. Overall, "An den Baum Daphne, AV 137" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Strauss's skill as a composer. The song's melancholic melody and sparse piano accompaniment create a sense of sadness and loss that perfectly captures the myth of Daphne. The song is a testament to Strauss's ability to create powerful and emotional music, even during the difficult times of World War II.

More....