Ultimo giorno del 2010: un anno è tramontato, insieme a questa splendida giornata di sole...
Le cose 'ultime' hanno un sapore particolare anche in musica, specialmente quando sono doni inaspettati della sorte. Mi viene in mente l'ultimo Lied composto da Richard Strauss. Che non è Im Abendrot, culmination of Lezte Vier Lieder , but a page of dreamy sweetness, Malven.
History Malven is exciting and adventurous. Dated November 23, 1948, was composed as a tribute to the singer songwriter Elder Moravian Maria Jeritza, who played many roles in his musical dramas (including the rugged Salome). The dedication reads "To my friend Maria, the latter rose" and in effect between the two seems that there was much more than a mutual professional respect. Jeritza jealously guards the secret of this liaison, as well as their last respects to the great composer, who died in 1949.
Many decades later, early eighties, began to leak news of the existence of a song that was to seal the production of Strauss, but Jeritza first denied, then took his time, finally agreed to the public performance of the piece - as long as it took place after his death occurred in 1984. Then, when his estate was auctioned, Zubin Mehta tried to win the song, but was beaten by a mysterious buyer.
After many searches, it was discovered that it was New York philanthropist, well-prepared to make known to the world Malven. Did not end here, of course, because the copyright was called into question the heirs of Strauss and the poet Swiss author of the text of the Lied, Betty Knobel. After much negotiation and some transvolate ocean Malven was performed in New York January 10, 1985. The New York Philharmonic was led by Zubin Mehta, who finally saw the culmination of a dream long cherished, and the New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa (will post later a video that talks about the song, before you run it with Georg Solti.
Malven does not have the scale nor the beauty of transfigured Vier Lieder Lezte , with which Strauss wanted to conclude his public activities as a composer. His lulling pace and the constant changing colors of harmony evokes the delicate grace of the flowers they are talking about the verses of Knobel: single flowers, "fragrance free", similar a pale face streaked with tears, swaying in the wind as humble servants of the summer.
The quiet sweetness of Malven peacefully with me in this new year I wish, me and you, full of music and happiness.
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