This is the final song from Strauss's 1887–88
Schlichte Wiesen, comprising five settings of Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn's poetry. While Dahn's text here may seem a little
Gemütlich for modern tastes, Strauss sets it with great sincerity, beautifully contrasting the woman's calm sagesse with the gruffer attitudes of the man. Their respective focus on heaven and earth is likewise reflected in the accompaniment's varying range. The final line, which floats in midair on an irresolute second inversion chord, is particularly heart-rending, hinting that the singer's mother has already gone heavenwards.
Click here to listen to Hermann Prey's performance.
The painting is 'Mutter und Kind' by Ferdinand Hodler.
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