“Ständchen” (“Serenade”) is an art song composed by Richard Strauss in 1886, setting a poem of the same title by the German poet Adolf Friedrich von Schack. It is the second song in his collection Six songs for high voice and piano, Op. 17, which were all settings of Schack poems. The song is written for voice and piano.
This song was likely composed for Strauss’ wife, Pauline, who was a well-known singer at that time.
The song “Ständchen”by Richard Strauss is a romantic song in every sense. And this song…. my goodness, this song makes me dizzy in the best way.
I love the liveliness of the piano, shimmering like moonlight on leaves or a love-stricken heart, flowing radiantly underneath a buoyant and lyrical vocal line. And Strauss’ expert writing, captures the innocence and excitement of this secret meeting of lovers.
Here is soprano Christiane Karg who songs this song of two lovers for you:
