Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1781

Average_duration

:

2:34

'Die zu späte Ankunft der Mutter' (The Mother's Late Arrival) is a cantata composed by Franz Joseph Haydn in 1762. The piece was written for the name day of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy's wife, Maria Josepha Hermenegild, and was premiered at the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. The cantata consists of three movements, with a total duration of approximately 15 minutes. The first movement is a recitative, in which the narrator describes the scene of a mother's late arrival to her child's bedside. The second movement is an aria, sung by the mother, in which she expresses her regret for being late and her love for her child. The final movement is a duet between the mother and child, in which they express their love for each other and the joy of being reunited. The music of 'Die zu späte Ankunft der Mutter' is characterized by Haydn's use of simple, yet expressive melodies and harmonies. The recitative is accompanied by sparse, almost improvisational piano chords, while the aria and duet feature more elaborate accompaniments. The vocal lines are also relatively simple, with occasional flourishes and ornamentation. Overall, 'Die zu späte Ankunft der Mutter' is a charming and heartfelt work, showcasing Haydn's skill at creating emotionally resonant music with relatively simple means.

More....