Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1900

Average_duration

:

2:01

"Ich Schwebe" is a song composed by Richard Strauss, which is also known as "I Am Floating" in English. It is the second song in his Opus 48, which is a collection of six songs for voice and piano. The song was composed in 1900 and premiered in the same year in Berlin. The song is written in a single movement and is characterized by its dreamy and ethereal quality. The melody is hauntingly beautiful and is accompanied by a delicate piano accompaniment that perfectly captures the mood of the piece. The song is in the key of F major and is written in a slow tempo. The lyrics of the song were written by the German poet, Otto Julius Bierbaum. The poem describes the feeling of floating or being weightless, as if the speaker is suspended in mid-air. The imagery used in the poem is very vivid and evocative, and Strauss's music perfectly captures the sense of weightlessness and freedom that the poem describes. The song begins with a gentle piano introduction that sets the mood for the piece. The vocal line enters softly, and the singer sings the first few lines in a hushed, almost whispered tone. As the song progresses, the vocal line becomes more expressive, and the singer's voice soars to the upper register, creating a sense of euphoria and elation. The piano accompaniment is very delicate and understated, providing a subtle backdrop for the vocal line. The harmonies are lush and romantic, and the use of chromaticism adds a sense of tension and drama to the piece. Overall, "Ich Schwebe" is a beautiful and evocative song that perfectly captures the sense of weightlessness and freedom described in the poem. Strauss's music is both delicate and powerful, and the combination of the haunting melody and the dreamy piano accompaniment creates a truly magical listening experience.

More....