Richard Strauss -- 8 Lieder, Op. 49: No. 1, Waldseligkeit -- Elisabeth Schwarzkopf -- Berlin Radio SO, George Szell
https://youtu.be/nAGdmtzxf94?si=DY6SKHME8Nnnz1eV

Text by Richard Dehmel (1863-1920)

Der Wald beginnt zu rauschen,
Den Bäumen naht die Nacht,
Als ob sie selig lauschen
Berühren sie sich sacht.
Und unter ihren Zweigen
Da bin ich ganz allein,
Da bin ich ganz dein eigen
Ganz nur dein!

The woods begin to rustle
and Night surrounds the trees,
as if it were listening happily
for the right moment to caress them.
And under their branches
I am entirely alone;
I am entirely yours,
Entirely and solely yours!

Strauss originally wrote this for voice and piano, then orchestrated it seventeen years later.

I much prefer this to the piano setting. His combination of soprano and rich orchestral sounds always casts a spell on me.

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