Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Dec 16, 1889

Average_duration

:

5:16

Hugo Wolf's 'Wunden trägst du, mein Geliebter' is a song cycle from his 'Spanisches Liederbuch' (Spanish Songbook), which was composed between 1890 and 1896. The premiere of the song cycle was in 1893 in Vienna, Austria. The cycle consists of 44 songs, which are based on Spanish poems translated into German by Emanuel Geibel and Paul Heyse. 'Wunden trägst du, mein Geliebter' is the 16th song in the cycle and is a duet for soprano and baritone. The song is in a slow tempo and is marked 'sehr innig' (very intimate). The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, allowing the voices to shine. The song is about a lover who is wounded by the words of their beloved. The lyrics are full of imagery, with references to flowers, birds, and the sea. The first movement of the song begins with the soprano singing a mournful melody, accompanied by a simple piano line. The baritone enters with a response, singing a similar melody. The two voices then sing together, creating a beautiful harmony. The second movement is more dramatic, with the soprano singing a passionate melody while the baritone sings a more subdued line. The two voices come together again in the final movement, singing a haunting melody that fades away into silence. The characteristics of 'Wunden trägst du, mein Geliebter' are typical of Wolf's style. He was known for his ability to set poetry to music in a way that captured the emotions and imagery of the text. His music is often characterized by its intense emotional expression, chromatic harmonies, and use of dissonance. In 'Wunden trägst du, mein Geliebter', Wolf uses these techniques to create a powerful and moving duet that captures the pain and longing of the lovers in the poem.

More....