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Schlußstück - (2016)
Rainer Maria Rilke
for mezzo soprano and piano
Der Tod ist groß.
Wir sind die Seinen
lachenden Munds.
Wenn wir uns mitten im Leben meinen,
wagt er zu weinen
mitten in uns.1 page, circa 2' 50"
Death looms large.
We are those who are
its laughing mouths.
As we consider ourselves alive,
it dares to weep
in our midst.
paraphrase of the composer
Copyright © 2016 Gary Bachlund
A long-arched setting of clustered thirds and melodic thirds is marked pianissimo throughout. The text is found in from Das Buch der Bilder, published 1920.
The score for Schlußstück is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.
