Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

3:04

"Der Spielmann, Op. 40/4" is a song composed by Robert Schumann in 1840. It was premiered in the same year as part of his song cycle "Liederkreis, Op. 40". The song is set to a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff and is the fourth song in the cycle. The song is in A minor and has a moderate tempo. It is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is marked "Etwas langsam" (somewhat slow) and is characterized by a melancholic melody played by the piano. The second section is marked "Lebhaft" (lively) and features a more upbeat melody played by the piano. The final section is marked "Immer noch lebhaft" (still lively) and returns to the melancholic melody of the first section. The poem tells the story of a wandering minstrel who travels from town to town, singing and playing his lute. He is a solitary figure, always on the move, and the townspeople are both fascinated and afraid of him. The minstrel himself is portrayed as a melancholic figure, longing for love and companionship but unable to find it. Schumann's setting of the poem captures the mood and character of the minstrel perfectly. The melancholic melody of the first section reflects the minstrel's loneliness and longing, while the more upbeat melody of the second section captures his energy and vitality. The final section, with its return to the melancholic melody, suggests that the minstrel's wanderings will continue indefinitely. Overall, "Der Spielmann, Op. 40/4" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the spirit of Eichendorff's poem and showcases Schumann's skill as a composer.

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