Cacilie
STRAUSS 1864–1949
Heinrich Hart’s poem, Cäcilie, serves as the text for this work. It was penned for the poet’s wife, whose name, not surprisingly, was Cäcilie. Of slightly more surprise, Strauss set this poem to music the day before his wedding to Pauline de Ahna, a soprano of some renown at the time. He dedicated the work to her as a wedding gift. Though short, the work is cast in a very lush, constantly shifting musical setting that displays a great deal of variety in color, texture, and musical affect.
— Anthony Suter
Concert Performance
Orchestration
soprano voice, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, harp, strings