Work
Du, Nachbar Gott
for baritone, string quartet and piano
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About
A setting of an intensely emotive and personal 1899 poem by Bohemian/Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke originally published in the collection Das Stundenbuch (The Book of Hours). In his characteristic mystic style that so epitomised fin-de-siècle sensibilities, Rilke speaks directly to his "Neighbour, God" expressing pity for God and longing to break down the wall between them for a closer personal relationship.
This is Samuel Gray's second setting of a Rilke poem, after Pilgerschaft (also published in the collection The Book of Hours). Samuel, who is on the board of the Upper Austrian Composers' Association, has lived in Austria since 2003 and also works as a German-English translator.
-SG
Difficulty note
High school students; musicians of grade 6 upward; however, the solo baritone part requires good technique and vocal control.
Dedication note
Für Klaus Schmid
Text note
poem by Rainer Maria Rilke (1898)