Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Nov 29, 1891

Average_duration

:

2:08

"Dass doch gemalt" is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf, based on the poems of Paul Heyse's "Italienisches Liederbuch". The cycle was composed in 1890 and premiered in the same year in Vienna. The cycle consists of 46 songs, divided into two volumes, and "Dass doch gemalt" is the 16th song in the first volume. The song is a duet for soprano and baritone, and the text is a dialogue between a man and a woman. The man expresses his desire to paint the woman's beauty, while the woman responds with skepticism, questioning the value of such a painting. The music reflects the tension between the two characters, with the man's lines being more lyrical and the woman's more declamatory. The song is in ABA form, with the A sections being in a slower tempo and the B section being faster and more agitated. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with the occasional flourish to highlight the text. One of the characteristics of Wolf's music is his use of chromaticism, which is evident in "Dass doch gemalt". The harmonies are constantly shifting, creating a sense of restlessness and unease. The vocal lines are also highly expressive, with the singers using a wide range of dynamics and articulations to convey the emotions of the text. Overall, "Dass doch gemalt" is a beautiful example of Wolf's art song style, with its rich harmonies, expressive vocal lines, and sensitive piano accompaniment. It is a testament to the composer's ability to capture the nuances of human emotion in music.

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