Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Jan 21, 1889

"Nicht Gelegenheit macht Diebe" is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf, based on poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The cycle was composed in 1888 and premiered in Vienna in the same year. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own unique character and mood. The first song, "Gleich und Gleich," is a lively and playful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second song, "Nimmersatte Liebe," is a more introspective and melancholic piece that explores the theme of unrequited love. The third song, "Anakreons Grab," is a somber and reflective piece that contemplates the fleeting nature of life. The fourth song, "Der Rattenfänger," is a lively and humorous piece that tells the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The fifth song, "Der Schatzgräber," is a dramatic and intense piece that explores the theme of greed and the dangers of obsession. The final song, "Gesang Weylas," is a haunting and ethereal piece that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. Throughout the cycle, Wolf's music perfectly captures the mood and character of Goethe's poetry. His use of chromaticism and dissonance creates a sense of tension and unease, while his use of melody and harmony creates a sense of beauty and lyricism. The cycle is a masterpiece of German Lieder, and a testament to the enduring power of Goethe's poetry.

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