Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

2:31

"Glückes genug, Op. 37/1" is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1898. It was premiered on December 8, 1898, in Berlin, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Anton Sistermanns. The song is part of a collection of six songs for voice and piano, titled "Sechs Lieder, Op. 37." "Glückes genug" is the first song of the collection and is written for a baritone voice. The text is a poem by the German poet Otto Julius Bierbaum, which describes the feeling of being content with one's life and surroundings. The song is in the key of F major and has a moderate tempo. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different character. The first section is marked "Sehr ruhig" (very calm) and is sung in a gentle and peaceful manner. The piano accompaniment is simple and repetitive, creating a sense of stability and contentment. The second section is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and is more lively than the first. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex, with arpeggios and syncopated rhythms. The vocal line is also more varied, with melodic leaps and a wider range. The third section is marked "Ruhig" (calm) and returns to the peaceful mood of the first section. The piano accompaniment is simplified again, and the vocal line becomes more lyrical. The song ends with a gentle and contented feeling, reflecting the poem's message of being happy with what one has. Overall, "Glückes genug" is a beautiful and introspective song that showcases Strauss's skill in setting poetry to music. The song's simple yet effective structure and the composer's sensitive handling of the text make it a timeless piece of art song repertoire.

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