Composer

:

Clara Wieck Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jun 9, 1853

Publication Date

:

1856

Average_duration

:

1:43

"Was weinst du, Blümlein, Op. 23/1" is a Lied composed by Clara Wieck Schumann in 1843. It was premiered in Leipzig on January 25, 1844, with Clara herself at the piano and the famous soprano Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient as the singer. The song is part of a set of six Lieder, Op. 23, which were dedicated to the composer's friend, the poet Emanuel Geibel. The song is in A minor and has a simple ABA form. The first section is in a slow and melancholic tempo, with the piano playing a descending arpeggio that sets the mood for the piece. The singer enters with the first line of the poem, "Was weinst du, Blümlein, in der Au?" ("Why are you weeping, little flower, in the meadow?"), and the melody follows the natural inflections of the text, with a rising and falling contour that reflects the flower's lament. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with occasional arpeggios and chords that support the voice without overpowering it. The middle section is in a brighter and more hopeful mood, with the key changing to A major. The piano plays a lively and playful melody, while the singer asks the flower why it is not happy, since it has everything it needs to thrive. The melody is more rhythmic and dance-like, with a syncopated rhythm that adds to the sense of movement and energy. The final section returns to the original key and tempo, with the piano playing a variation of the opening arpeggio. The singer repeats the first line of the poem, but this time with a different inflection, as if she has understood the flower's sadness and is now commiserating with it. The melody is more subdued and introspective, with a descending contour that reflects the flower's resignation. The piano accompaniment is also more complex, with arpeggios and chords that create a sense of closure and finality. Overall, "Was weinst du, Blümlein, Op. 23/1" is a simple and elegant Lied that showcases Clara Wieck Schumann's talent for setting poetry to music. The melody is expressive and natural, with a clear and direct connection to the text. The piano accompaniment is also sensitive and supportive, with a delicate touch that never overwhelms the voice. The song is a testament to Clara's skill as a composer and her deep understanding of the Romantic aesthetic.

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