Composer

:

Alban Berg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1904

Average_duration

:

1:19

"Näherin" is a song composed by Alban Berg in 1907. It was premiered in Vienna in 1908. The song is part of a collection of seven songs titled "Sieben frühe Lieder" (Seven Early Songs) composed by Berg between 1905 and 1908. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a haunting melody that reflects the sadness and loneliness of the protagonist. The text of the song is a poem by Theodor Storm, a German writer and poet. The song is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow) and sets the mood for the entire piece. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with long pauses between the chords. The vocal line is equally sparse, with long sustained notes that convey a sense of longing and sadness. The second movement is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and introduces a more rhythmic and lively melody. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex, with arpeggios and runs that create a sense of movement and urgency. The vocal line is more varied, with shorter phrases and more dynamic changes. The third movement is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow) and returns to the mood of the first movement. The piano accompaniment is once again sparse and delicate, with long pauses between the chords. The vocal line is more complex, with more ornamentation and dynamic changes. The final notes of the song are a long sustained note that fades away into silence, leaving the listener with a sense of melancholy and longing. Overall, "Näherin" is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that showcases Berg's early style. The sparse and delicate piano accompaniment, combined with the haunting melody and melancholic text, create a sense of sadness and longing that is both powerful and moving.

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