Richard Strauss Zueignung

It’s said Strauss promised he would write his first published songs for an aunt, but he reneged on that, instead penning his Op. 10 collection for a tenor voice. Premiered by Rudolf Engelhardt in 1886, ‘Zueignung’ (Devotion) appeared in that first set of published songs and is based on the poem ‘Habe Dank’ (Have Thanks) by Hermann von Gilm. Strauss originally penned the song for voice and piano, but returned to it in 1940, arranging it for orchestra. That version was dedicated to, and premiered by, Viorica Ursuleac. She first sang it in Rome, under conductor Clemens Krauss (her husband).