Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Dec 1883 - 1885

Publication Date

:

1897

First Performance

:

Mar 16, 1896

Average_duration

:

3:02

"Ich hab'ein glühend Messer" is a song composed by Gustav Mahler in 1901. It is part of his song cycle "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" (The Youth's Magic Horn), which is a collection of German folk poems that Mahler set to music. The song was premiered in Vienna in 1905. The song is in the key of C minor and has a slow tempo. It is divided into three sections, each with a different character. The first section is marked "Sehr langsam und gedehnt" (very slow and drawn out) and is sung in a mournful, contemplative style. The second section is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and is more agitated and intense. The final section is marked "Sehr rasch" (very fast) and is frenzied and wild. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a man who has a glowing knife and is seeking revenge on his unfaithful lover. The first section describes his sadness and despair at her betrayal. The second section describes his anger and determination to seek revenge. The final section describes his frenzied pursuit of his lover, culminating in her death. The music of the song is characterized by Mahler's use of dissonance and chromaticism to create a sense of tension and unease. The slow tempo and mournful melody of the first section create a sense of melancholy and despair, while the faster tempo and more agitated melody of the second section create a sense of urgency and intensity. The final section, with its frenzied tempo and wild melody, creates a sense of chaos and violence. Overall, "Ich hab'ein glühend Messer" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that showcases Mahler's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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