Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1817

Average_duration

:

2:10

"An den Tod" (To Death) is a lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1817. It was premiered in Vienna in the same year. The song is set to a poem by Matthias Claudius, a German poet and journalist. The poem is a meditation on death, and the inevitability of its arrival. The song is written for a solo voice and piano, and is in the key of C minor. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first section is slow and mournful, with the piano playing a simple, repetitive accompaniment. The vocal line is also slow and mournful, with the singer expressing their fear and anxiety about death. The second section is faster and more agitated, with the piano playing a more complex accompaniment. The vocal line is also more agitated, with the singer expressing their anger and frustration at death. The third section is slower and more resigned, with the piano playing a simple, repetitive accompaniment once again. The vocal line is also slower and more resigned, with the singer accepting the inevitability of death. The song is characterized by its use of chromaticism, which creates a sense of tension and unease. The chromaticism is particularly evident in the piano accompaniment, which features a descending chromatic line in the first section, and a rising chromatic line in the second section. The vocal line also features chromaticism, with the singer frequently singing notes that are outside of the key signature. Overall, "An den Tod" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the human experience of mortality. Schubert's use of chromaticism and his skillful setting of the text create a haunting and unforgettable musical experience.

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