“Seligkeit,” from a poem by Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty (Franz Schubert) ~ Ruby H. Johnson

This was the third song sung by Ruby Helene Johnson at her senior vocal recital at BrokenWorks Productions, in Ashland, Oregon, on December 13, 2020. “Seligkeit” was composed by Schubert in 1816, with words from a poem by Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty. At the heart of this waltz is the contrast between the abstract and the concrete—between ethereal and physical joy: The first two verses of Hölty’s poem describe the bliss of heaven, where dancing and singing fill every moment; but, in the third verse, the poet turns away from this intangible bliss towards earthly pleasure. (If sweet Laura smiles at him, he says, he will stay on earth with her, forever in earthly bliss.) The simple, strophic form of Handel’s music dramatizes this move towards the concrete. Perhaps, too, Handel’s dulcet, pleasant melody is used in a slightly ironic way, gently teasing the poet for his overly rosy view of heaven. Please visit https://rubyhjohnsonrecital.e3webcast... to view the full live stream of Ruby's recital.