Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1846 - 1883

Publication Date

:

1846 - 1883

Average_duration

:

6:30

Franz Liszt's "Pace non trovo" is a song from his collection of six Petrarch Sonnets, S. 270. The song was composed in 1842 and premiered in the same year in Weimar, Germany. The song is based on the sonnet "Pace non trovo" by the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca. The song is in the key of F-sharp minor and is marked "Andante con moto." It is a through-composed song, meaning that the music changes throughout the piece to reflect the changing emotions of the text. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked by a sense of restlessness and uncertainty. The music is characterized by a wandering melody and a constantly shifting harmonic landscape. The second section is more introspective and melancholic. The melody is more lyrical, and the harmonies are more stable. The final section is marked by a sense of resignation and acceptance. The melody is simple and repetitive, and the harmonies are more static. The text of the song is a reflection on the poet's inability to find peace in his love for a woman named Laura. The poet describes his restless heart and his constant search for something that he cannot find. The music reflects the emotional turmoil of the text, with its shifting harmonies and restless melody. Overall, "Pace non trovo" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Liszt's skill as a composer. The through-composed structure and the changing emotional landscape of the music make it a challenging piece for performers, but also a rewarding one.

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