![Mahler Foundation artwork](https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts124/v4/32/f8/8e/32f88e16-041d-f569-4a83-bd0343d207bd/mza_6106304382003878711.jpg/100x100bb.jpg)
Mahler Rückert-Lieder – Liebst du um Schönheit (If You Love For Beauty’s Sake)
Mahler Foundation
English - March 19, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 5.5 MB - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsMusic Commentary Music Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Previous Episode: Des Knaben Wunderhorn - Das Irdische Leben (The Earthly Life)
Next Episode: Das Klagende Lied – Der Spielmann (The Minstrel)
The most traditional of the songs was the last composed, “Liebst du um Schönheit.” It is the most clearly strophic in form, with the four stanzas presented in pairs, with a very brief orchestral interlude in the middle. The first three stanzas are clear variants of one another.
The fourth begins as if it were to continue in the same pattern, but underscores the central message of the song by stressing the words “liebe” (love) and “immer” (always) through rhythmic prolongation and emphasis on the upper register in the melody. Love must be for its own sake, not for beauty, youth or treasure.
---
A listening guide of Rückert-Lieder – Liebst Du Um Schönheit with Lew Smoley.