Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Nov 1820

Average_duration

:

5:18

"Der Jüngling auf dem Hügel" (The Youth on the Hill) is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1820. It is the first of six songs in his Opus 8, which were all composed in the same year. The song is set to a poem by Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis, a Swiss poet who was a friend of Schubert's. The song is in A major and has a simple, strophic structure with three verses. The piano accompaniment is light and flowing, with arpeggios and gentle chords that evoke the peaceful setting of the poem. The vocal melody is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases that reflect the introspective mood of the text. The first verse describes a young man sitting on a hill, gazing out at the world below. He is lost in thought, contemplating the beauty of nature and the passing of time. The second verse reflects on the transience of life, with the youth realizing that everything he sees will one day be gone. The final verse is a prayer for peace and contentment, with the youth asking for the strength to accept the impermanence of life and find joy in the present moment. "Der Jüngling auf dem Hügel" premiered in Vienna in 1821, and quickly became one of Schubert's most popular songs. Its simple, heartfelt melody and poignant lyrics have made it a favorite of singers and audiences alike. The song is a testament to Schubert's ability to capture the essence of a poem in music, and to create a work of art that transcends its original context.

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