Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1840

Publication Date

:

1843

Average_duration

:

5:48

"Il m'aimait tant" is a song composed by Franz Liszt in 1844. It was premiered in Weimar, Germany on December 22, 1844, with the composer himself at the piano and the singer Caroline von Saint-Cricq. The song is part of a collection of six songs titled "Tre sonetti di Petrarca" (Three Sonnets of Petrarch), which were inspired by the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca's sonnets. "Il m'aimait tant" is the second song in the collection and is based on Petrarch's Sonnet 104. The poem describes the speaker's love for a woman who has died, and the pain and longing he feels for her. Liszt's setting of the poem is a beautiful and haunting melody that captures the melancholic mood of the text. The song is in the key of F-sharp major and is marked "Andante con moto" (moderately slow with motion). It is divided into three sections, with the first and third sections being in the same key and the middle section modulating to the key of D-flat major. The piano accompaniment is delicate and sparse, with arpeggiated chords and gentle melodic lines that support the singer's voice. The vocal line is characterized by long, flowing phrases that require a skilled singer to execute. The melody is expressive and full of emotion, with moments of intense passion and moments of quiet reflection. The text is set in a recitative style, with the singer delivering the words in a natural, conversational manner. Overall, "Il m'aimait tant" is a beautiful and poignant song that showcases Liszt's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its haunting melody and expressive vocal line make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike.

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