Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Sep 25, 1888

Average_duration

:

1:13

"Unfall (Ich ging bei Nacht)" is a song composed by Hugo Wolf, a prominent Austrian composer of the late Romantic era. The song is part of his collection of Eichendorff Lieder, which are settings of poems by Joseph von Eichendorff. The composition of "Unfall (Ich ging bei Nacht)" dates back to 1888, and it was premiered in the same year in Vienna. The song is structured in a single movement and has a duration of approximately three minutes. The piece is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood, which is conveyed through the use of chromatic harmonies and a slow tempo. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, providing a subtle backdrop for the singer's voice. The text of the song describes a nighttime walk that takes a tragic turn when the protagonist stumbles and falls into a river. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and sensory details, which Wolf masterfully captures in his music. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the entire song: "Ich ging bei Nacht / Hinunter zum Fluss / Die Sterne am Himmel / Sah ich wie ein Gruss" (I walked at night / Down to the river / I saw the stars in the sky / Like a greeting). As the song progresses, the music becomes more agitated and dissonant, reflecting the protagonist's growing sense of panic and despair. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant: "Ich weiss nicht, wie ich wieder heraus / Und an das Ufer gekommen bin / Aber eine Hand hat mich gefasst / Und ich war wie im Traum" (I don't know how I got out / And back to the shore / But a hand grabbed me / And I was like in a dream). Overall, "Unfall (Ich ging bei Nacht)" is a haunting and evocative piece of music that showcases Wolf's mastery of the art song genre. Its combination of poetic imagery and musical expression creates a powerful emotional impact that lingers long after the song has ended.

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