Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 1, 1888

Average_duration

:

2:40

Hugo Wolf's 'Lied vom Winde' is a song cycle composed in 1888, based on the poetry of Eduard Mörike. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which explores the theme of the wind in different ways. The premiere of the cycle took place in Vienna in 1891, with the composer himself at the piano. The first song, 'Der Genesene an die Hoffnung' (The Convalescent to Hope), is a joyful celebration of the return of health and vitality after a period of illness. The wind is portrayed as a life-giving force, blowing away the clouds of despair and bringing new hope and energy. The second song, 'Auf einer Wanderung' (On a Hike), is a more contemplative piece, in which the wind is seen as a symbol of the transience of life. The narrator reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death, while the wind blows through the trees and the grass. The third song, 'Nimmersatte Liebe' (Insatiable Love), is a passionate and intense piece, in which the wind is used as a metaphor for the overwhelming power of love. The narrator is consumed by his desire for his beloved, and the wind is portrayed as a force that can never be satisfied. The fourth song, 'Verborgenheit' (Seclusion), is a gentle and introspective piece, in which the wind is seen as a soothing presence that can bring peace and comfort to the troubled soul. The narrator seeks solace in seclusion, and the wind is portrayed as a gentle companion on his journey. The fifth song, 'Erstes Liebeslied eines Mädchens' (First Love Song of a Girl), is a delicate and tender piece, in which the wind is used to evoke the innocence and purity of first love. The narrator is a young girl who is experiencing the first stirrings of romantic feeling, and the wind is portrayed as a gentle and playful presence that mirrors her own emotions. The final song, 'Gebet' (Prayer), is a solemn and reverent piece, in which the wind is used to evoke the majesty and power of the divine. The narrator offers a prayer of thanks and praise to God, and the wind is portrayed as a symbol of the divine presence that surrounds and sustains all of creation. Overall, 'Lied vom Winde' is a rich and varied cycle that showcases Hugo Wolf's mastery of the art song form. The composer uses the wind as a versatile and evocative symbol, exploring a range of emotions and themes through its various manifestations. From the joyful celebration of health and vitality to the solemn reverence of prayer, 'Lied vom Winde' is a powerful and moving work that continues to captivate audiences today.

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