Vier letzte Lieder - Ultimele patru concerte - R. Strauss

Fabulos.

Frühling - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVWrjDEVrHo&feature=related
September - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIlPm-myghQ&feature=related
Beim Schlafengehen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v1zlfWZXDw&feature=related
Im Abendrot - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppoqUVlKkBU&feature=related

Ultimele patru concerte compuse de R. Strauss, in 1948, la varsta de 84 de ani.

Concerte pentru soprana si orchestra, per ansamblu un concert ca o sublima poveste despre viata si moarte. Strauss nu a trait sa asiste la premiera, ce a avut loc in 22 mai 1950, gazduita de Royal Albert Hall din Londra.
Premiera s-a bucurat de participarea Orchestrei Filarmonice din Londra avandu-l la pupitru pe Wilhelm Furtwangler.
Kirsten Flagstad a fost soprana care a dat, la premiera, viata acestor minunate lieduri.
Libretele acestor patru lieduri poarta semnaturile poetilor Hermann Hesse si  Joseph von Eichendorff.

1."Frühling"("Spring") (Text: Hermann Hesse)

In shadowy crypts
I dreamt long
of your trees and blue skies,
of your fragrance and birdsong.
Now you appear
in all your finery,
drenched in light
like a miracle before me.
You recognize me,
you entice me tenderly.
All my limbs tremble at
your blessed presence!

2."September" (Text: Hermann Hesse)

The garden is in mourning.
Cool rain seeps into the flowers.
Summertime shudders,
quietly awaiting his end.
Golden leaf after leaf falls
from the tall acacia tree.
Summer smiles, astonished and feeble,
at his dying dream of a garden.
For just a while he tarries
beside the roses, yearning for repose.
Slowly he closes
his weary eyes.

3."Beim Schlafengehen"("Going to sleep") (Text: Hermann Hesse)

Now that I am wearied of the day,
I will let the friendly, starry night
greet all my ardent desires
like a sleepy child.
Hands, stop all your work.
Brow, forget all your thinking.
All my senses now
yearn to sink into slumber.
And my unfettered soul
wishes to soar up freely
into night's magic sphere
to live there deeply and thousandfold.

4."Im Abendrot"("At sunset") (Text: Joseph von Eichendorff)

We have gone through sorrow and joy
hand in hand;
Now we can rest from our wandering
above the quiet land.
Around us, the valleys bow;
the air is growing darker.
Just two skylarks soar upwards
dreamily into the fragrant air.
Come close to me, and let them flutter.
Soon it will be time for sleep.
Let us not lose our way
in this solitude.
O vast, tranquil peace,
so deep at sunset!
How weary we are of wandering
Is this perhaps death?