Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

5:37

"Befreit, Op. 39/4" is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1898. It was premiered on November 22, 1898, in Berlin, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Anton Sistermanns. The song is part of a cycle of six songs called "Fünf Lieder, Op. 39," which Strauss composed for voice and piano. "Befreit" is the fourth song of the cycle and is based on a poem by the German poet Richard Dehmel. The poem tells the story of a couple who have been together for a long time and have experienced many ups and downs in their relationship. The woman in the poem is dying, and the man is by her side, comforting her and reminiscing about their life together. The song is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the power of memory. The song is in the key of F major and has a slow tempo. It is divided into three sections, each with a different mood and character. The first section is marked "Sehr langsam und ausdrucksvoll" (very slow and expressive) and is sung in a mournful, melancholic tone. The second section is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and is more hopeful and optimistic in character. The final section returns to the mood of the first section and is marked "Sehr ruhig und innig" (very calm and intimate). The piano accompaniment is an integral part of the song and reflects the changing moods and emotions of the text. The opening piano chords are somber and mournful, while the middle section features a more flowing, lyrical melody. The final section returns to the mournful mood of the opening, with the piano playing a descending arpeggio that underscores the sense of loss and sadness. Overall, "Befreit" is a deeply emotional and moving song that showcases Strauss's skill as a composer of lieder. Its themes of love, loss, and memory are universal and timeless, and the music perfectly captures the mood and character of the text.

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