Morgen!

Composed in 1894 by the German composer Richard Strauss (1864-1949), “Morgen!” stands as one of his most famous and performed works. This expressive lied is a rapturous love song that belongs to Strauss’s Four Songs (Op. 27), a collection of lieder dedicated to his wife and soprano Pauline de Ahna as a wedding present. Although this piece was written for the joyous occasion of their wedding day, it is difficult to ignore the nostalgia embedded in the Scottish Poet John Henry Mackay’s poetry and ultimately Strauss’s music. A scene of deep longing and reverie, “Morgen!” centers on someone who yearns to reunite with their late beloved on the beach in life after death. The piece begins with its iconic and extended piano introduction that presents a lengthy chord progression which never resolves. Played as sparse accompanimental arpeggios, this introduction conjures up a distant image of soft ocean waves to create this tranquil scene. After some time, the voices then enter seemingly mid-thought, as if this fervent yearning has been present since the first note. As the piece ends, Strauss recalls the opening arpeggios, and we are left with silent stillness and blissful silence.

There are a couple existing arrangements of this lied. In my version, I tried to stick close to its solo-voice roots and allow the choir to enter in unison. This is a beautiful and emotional arrangement fit for any choir.