Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Apr 30, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:57

'Was für ein Lied soll dir gesungen werden? (Italienisches Liederbuch)' is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf. The cycle was composed between 1890 and 1891 and was premiered in Vienna in 1892. The cycle consists of 46 songs, which are divided into two volumes. The first volume contains 22 songs, while the second volume contains 24 songs. The cycle is based on a collection of Italian poems translated into German by Paul Heyse. The poems are love songs, and the cycle explores the various aspects of love, including passion, jealousy, and heartbreak. The songs are written for a solo voice and piano, and they are characterized by their lyrical melodies and rich harmonies. The cycle is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the joys of love and the second part exploring the pain of love. The first part begins with the song "Auch kleine Dinge können uns entzücken" (Even small things can delight us), which sets the tone for the cycle with its light and playful melody. Other notable songs in the first part include "Wie lange schon war immer mein Verlangen" (How long has my desire been), which features a soaring melody and rich harmonies, and "Mir ward gesagt, du reisest in die Ferne" (I was told you were traveling far away), which is a melancholic song about separation. The second part of the cycle begins with the song "Nun lass uns Frieden schließen" (Now let us make peace), which is a somber song about the end of a relationship. Other notable songs in the second part include "Du denkst mit einem Fädchen mich zu fangen" (You think to catch me with a thread), which is a bitter song about betrayal, and "Wenn du, mein Liebster, steigst zum Himmel auf" (When you, my beloved, ascend to heaven), which is a mournful song about death. Overall, 'Was für ein Lied soll dir gesungen werden? (Italienisches Liederbuch)' is a masterful cycle that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. The cycle is characterized by its beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, and emotional depth, and it remains a beloved work in the classical music repertoire.

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