The songs of Richard Strauss Op. 10 to Op. 56

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.