RICHARD STRAUSS ~ June 11, 1864 ~ September 8, 1949

wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Schmutzer-Richard_Strauss.jpg.

Richard Georg Strauss (11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949) was a German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras, particularly of operas, Lieder and tone poems. Strauss was also a prominent conductor. He was the consummate orchestrator!

One of my favorite operas is Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. His “Four Last Songs” (Vier letzte Lieder), are among the most beautiful and moving vocal/orchestral pieces ever written. I would like the third, "Beim Schlafengehen," to be sung at my funeral (someday in the far future, I trust.)

3. "Beim Schlafengehen"
"Going to Sleep" Text: Hermann Hesse

Nun der Tag mich müd' gemacht,

soll mein sehnliches Verlangenf

reundlich die gestirnte Nacht

wie ein müdes Kind empfangen.

Hände, laßt von allem Tun,

Stirn, vergiß du alles Denken.

Alle meine Sinne nun

wollen sich in Schlummer senken.

Und die Seele, unbewacht,

will in freien Flügen schweben,

um im Zauberkreis der Nacht

tief und tausendfach zu leben.

Now that I am wearied of the day,

I will let the friendly, starry night

greet all my ardent desires

like a sleepy child.

Hands, stop all your work.

Brow, forget all your thinking.

All my senses now

yearn to sink into slumber.

And my unfettered soul

wishes to soar up freely

into night's magic sphere

to live there deeply and thousandfold.

I feel privileged knowing that I shared almost six months at the start of my life with the end of his.