Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Dec 4, 1891

Average_duration

:

2:26

Hugo Wolf's "Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen" is a song from his collection of songs called "Italienisches Liederbuch" (Italian Songbook). The collection was composed between 1890 and 1896 and premiered in 1892. The song is set to a poem by Paul Heyse and is the 29th song in the collection. The song is in the key of F minor and is marked "Sehr langsam und schmerzvoll" (very slow and painful). It is a solo song for a soprano or tenor voice with piano accompaniment. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section begins with a mournful piano introduction that sets the tone for the entire song. The singer enters with the first line of the poem, "Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen" (And if you want to see your beloved die). The melody is slow and mournful, with long, sustained notes that convey the sadness and pain of the text. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with simple chords that support the singer's voice. The second section begins with a change in tempo and character. The singer asks, "Und willst du ihn nicht lieber selig wissen?" (And would you not rather have him be blessed?). The melody is more hopeful and uplifting, with a faster tempo and more complex piano accompaniment. The singer's voice soars above the piano, conveying a sense of joy and hope. The third section returns to the mournful character of the first section. The singer repeats the first line of the poem, "Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen," but this time the melody is even more mournful and the piano accompaniment is sparser. The song ends with a final, mournful chord that conveys the finality of death. Overall, "Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen" is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. The song is a masterful example of how music can convey complex emotions and tell a story through sound.

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