In 1918 a twelve-year phase came to an end during which Richard Strauss had completely turned his back on the composition of lieder. Plausible explanations for this period of abstinence range from Strauss’s focus on stage works during this time to the fact that his wife Pauline, who had previously constituted the composer’s “ideal performer” of his lieder and frequently been the source of inspiration for these compositions, had ended her career as a singer.

After not having produced any new l...