SKU: HL.49047152

UPC: 196288136620.

In 1918 a twelve-year phase came to an end during which Richard Strauss had completely turned his back on the composition of lieder.Plausible explanations for this period of abstinence range from Strauss’s focus on stage works during this time to the fact that hiswife Pauline, who had previously constituted the composer's “ideal performer” of his lieder and frequently been the source of inspiration for these compositions, had ended her career as a singer. After not having produced any new lieder during these twelve years, Strauss was equally consistent in the resumption of lied composition – at least in the year 1918 that would prove to be the most intensive “lieder year” in his entire compositional career with the composition of opp. 66, 67, 68 and 69 (a grand total of 29 lieder, in addition to the orchestration of six piano lieder composed in former years). The current volume includes the lieder dating from 1918 up to Strauss's death in 1949 in their original language and pitch. German and English.

SKU: BT.PMC3865

The Two Songs on American Poems were composed in late May and early June of 2011 by candlelight at my rustic waterfront cabin on a remote island off the northwest coast of Washington State. It was in this locale that I havecompleted a number of works over the years, including the Lux Aeterna, O Magnum Mysterium, Nocturnes, Canticle/O Vos Omnes and others. Prayer was written in memory of Michael Jasper Gioia, Dana and Mary Gioia's infant son, whosebrief life was tragically ended by SIDS.Mr. Gioia served as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003-2010 and has authored several books of poems, numerous anthologies, articles, essays and two opera libretti. Amonghis many awards are the American Book Award and Presidential Citizens Medal. He currently holds the Judge Widney Chair of Poetry and Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Sure on this Shining Night was originallycomposed as a choral piece, the third movement of my Nocturnes on poems by Rilke, Neruda and Agee. Rod Gilfry, an international star of opera, recital and musical theater, premiered the mixed duet version with his daughter, Carin,in 2009. He is Professor of Vocal Studies at the USC Thornton School of Music. Both he and Mr. Gioia are national treasures. The Two Songs are designed as a pair but may be sung independently - when paired, Sure On This ShiningNight should begin immediatelyfollowing the final, sustained chord of Prayer with no break in between the songs. Both of these songs, premiered by Mr. Gilfry accompanied by the composer at a USC Visions & Voices tribute to DanaGioia on September 27, 2011, have their roots in the American musical theater and should be sung as such.