Composer

:

Alban Berg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1904

Average_duration

:

0:55

'Vorüber' is a composition for soprano and orchestra composed by Alban Berg in 1929. The piece was premiered on 6 December 1930 in Berlin, conducted by Hermann Scherchen. The composition consists of three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, marked 'Sehr langsam' (very slow), begins with a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the orchestra. The soprano enters with a mournful melody, singing of a lost love. The orchestra provides a lush and rich accompaniment, with the strings and woodwinds creating a sense of longing and sadness. The movement ends with the soprano singing the word 'vorüber' (passed) repeatedly, as if to emphasize the fleeting nature of love and life. The second movement, marked 'Lebhaft' (lively), is a stark contrast to the first. The orchestra plays a lively and energetic melody, with the soprano entering with a playful and flirtatious melody. The music is full of energy and excitement, with the orchestra and soprano trading off melodies and rhythms. The movement ends with the soprano singing the word 'vorüber' once again, this time with a sense of finality. The third and final movement, marked 'Sehr langsam' (very slow), returns to the mournful and melancholic mood of the first movement. The soprano sings of the pain of loss and the inevitability of death, with the orchestra providing a somber and mournful accompaniment. The movement ends with the soprano singing the word 'vorüber' one last time, bringing the piece to a close. Overall, 'Vorüber' is a deeply emotional and introspective work, with Berg's use of melody and harmony creating a sense of longing and sadness. The piece is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and love, and the inevitability of loss and death.

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