The songs of Richard Strauss Op. 10 to Op. 56
Date
2015-01-07
Authors
Becker, Marianne
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Abstract
This study is concerned with an analysis of tne songs of Richard
Strauss, op. 10 to op.56. The years during which these compositions
were created (1882-1906) not only demonstrate clearly Strauss's
individual development as a composer, but also represent a time of
great change in music history generally, since they bridge the
T.ate-Romantic and Twentieth-Century styles. Strauss stands as a
central figure amidst all these developments and his music
consequently reflects the spirit of those times. As a result,
certjain issues had to be investigated before the songs could be
analysed. The most important of these are:
i Whether his music can be regarded as tonal or not;
ii How far the ideal of Musik als Ausdruck influenced his compositions.
The analyses of the songs were used to verify the findings that:
i His works are generally not structured according to tonal principles
(if tonality is defined as existing because of a hierarchical
structuring of tonal materials around a central tonic) despite their
consonant nature;
ii Musik als Ausdruck was the single most important element in his
musical philosophy and all else was subjugated to this ideal.