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by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926)

O Lächeln, erstes Lächeln, unser Lächeln
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Lächeln, erstes Lächeln, unser Lächeln. 
Wie war das Eines: Duft der Linden atmen, 
Parkstille hören --, plötzlich in einander
Aufschaun und staunen bis heran ans Lächeln.

In diesem Lächeln war Erinnerung 
An einen Hasen, der da eben drüben 
Im Rasen spielte; dieses war die Kindheit 
Des Lächelns. Ernster schon war ihm des Schwanes 
Bewegung eingegeben, den wir später 
Den Weiher teilen sahen in zwei Hälften 
Lautlosen Abends. -- Und der Wipfel Ränder 
Gegen den reinen, freien, ganz schon künftig
Nächtigen Himmel hatten diesem Lächeln 
Ränder gezogen gegen die entzückte 
Zukunft im Antlitz.

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

  • by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926), "Liebesanfang" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Natalie Bayada-Snoeren , "Liebesanfang" [ voice and piano ], from Songs of Rilke, no. 3 [sung text checked 1 time]
  • by Alfred Kaiserswerth (1955 - 1992), "Liebesanfang", 1982 [ voice and guitar ], from Gesänge für Liebende, no. 1 [sung text not yet checked]
  • by Erik Norby (1936 - 2007), "Liebesanfang", 1985 [ mezzo-soprano and orchestra ], from Rilke-Lieder, no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]
  • by Kris Oelbrandt (b. 1972), "O Lächeln, erstes Lächeln, unser Lächeln", op. 26 no. 2 (2011), published 2016, copyright © 2016 [ mezzo-soprano, baritone and instrumental ensemble ], from oratorio Niets dan liefde: Spring oratorio, no. 2, Rijswijk, the Netherlands : Donemus [sung text not yet checked]

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2013-09-03
Line count: 15
Word count: 92

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