Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1918

Average_duration

:

1:53

"Der Stern, Op. 69/1" is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1918. It was premiered on November 17, 1918, in Berlin, with the composer himself conducting. The song is part of a collection of six songs for voice and piano, collectively known as "Sechs Lieder, Op. 69." "Der Stern" is the first song in the collection and is set to a poem by the German poet, Hermann von Gilm. The poem describes a star shining in the night sky, and the singer marvels at its beauty and wonders what secrets it holds. The music is characterized by its ethereal and dreamy quality, with Strauss using chromatic harmonies and a flowing melody to create a sense of wonder and mystery. The song is in a slow tempo and is marked "sehr zart und innig" (very tender and intimate). It is in the key of F-sharp major and has a simple ABA form. The opening section features a gentle piano accompaniment, with the singer entering on the words "Ein Stern, ein Stern" (A star, a star). The melody is initially sung in a hushed and delicate manner, gradually building in intensity as the singer marvels at the star's beauty. The middle section of the song features a more agitated and restless melody, with the singer asking the star what secrets it holds. The piano accompaniment becomes more dissonant and chromatic, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The final section of the song returns to the opening melody, with the singer expressing a sense of awe and wonder at the star's beauty. The piano accompaniment becomes more lush and harmonically rich, with Strauss using a series of modulations to create a sense of resolution and closure. Overall, "Der Stern" is a beautiful and evocative song that showcases Strauss's skill as a composer of art songs. Its ethereal and dreamy quality, combined with its simple yet effective melody, make it a memorable addition to the repertoire of any singer or pianist.

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