Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1908 - 1909

Average_duration

:

8:16

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Anton Webern's 'Lieder (5) nach Gedichten von Stefan George, Op. 4' is a song cycle composed in 1908. The premiere of the work took place on March 6, 1910, in Vienna. The cycle consists of five songs, each set to a poem by the German poet Stefan George. The first song, "Entrückung," is characterized by its ethereal and otherworldly quality. The vocal line is sparse and delicate, with the piano providing a shimmering accompaniment. The second song, "Seligkeit," is more grounded, with a steady, pulsing rhythm and a more substantial vocal line. The third song, "Ergebung," is mournful and introspective, with a haunting melody that is repeated throughout the piece. The fourth song, "Heimweh," is perhaps the most dramatic of the cycle. The vocal line is urgent and impassioned, with the piano providing a driving, almost frenzied accompaniment. The final song, "Gleich und Gleich," is a return to the ethereal quality of the first song. The vocal line is once again sparse and delicate, with the piano providing a gentle, lulling accompaniment. Overall, the cycle is characterized by its spare, delicate textures and its use of unusual harmonies and tonalities. Webern's use of dissonance and unconventional chord progressions creates a sense of unease and tension throughout the cycle, even in its more peaceful moments. The cycle is a testament to Webern's skill as a composer, and to his ability to create powerful emotional effects with minimal means.

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