Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1861 - 1868

Average_duration

:

4:26

Johannes Brahms composed "Wie schnell verschwindet so Licht als Glanz, Op. 33/11" in 1861. The piece is part of his collection of 15 songs, collectively known as "Neue Liebeslieder Walzer," which premiered in Vienna in 1874. The song is written for four voices and piano, and it is the eleventh piece in the collection. The song is in 3/4 time and is marked "Sehr rasch" (very fast). The piano accompaniment is lively and energetic, with a constant stream of sixteenth notes. The vocal parts are equally lively, with each voice taking turns singing the melody. The lyrics, written by Georg Friedrich Daumer, describe the fleeting nature of love and how quickly it can disappear, much like the light that fades away. The first movement begins with the tenor voice singing the opening line, "Wie schnell verschwindet so Licht als Glanz" (How quickly light disappears as radiance). The other voices join in, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. The second movement features the soprano voice singing the melody, with the other voices providing harmonies. The third movement is a duet between the alto and bass voices, with the piano providing a playful accompaniment. The final movement brings all four voices together, with each taking turns singing the melody. Overall, "Wie schnell verschwindet so Licht als Glanz, Op. 33/11" is a lively and energetic piece that showcases Brahms' skill in writing for multiple voices. The constant stream of sixteenth notes in the piano accompaniment creates a sense of urgency, reflecting the fleeting nature of love described in the lyrics. The piece is a testament to Brahms' ability to write music that is both technically challenging and emotionally expressive.

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