Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Aug 19, 1815

Average_duration

:

3:46

"An den Mond" (To the Moon), D. 259, is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It is one of his earliest works in this genre and is set to a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The song is in A-flat major and has a simple, strophic structure with three verses. The piano accompaniment is delicate and ethereal, evoking the moonlit night sky. The vocal melody is lyrical and expressive, with long, flowing phrases that reflect the romantic sentiment of the text. The first verse begins with the speaker addressing the moon, praising its beauty and asking it to shine down on him. The second verse expresses the speaker's longing for a loved one who is far away, and the third verse concludes with a plea for the moon to bring the loved one back to him. "An den Mond" is a prime example of Schubert's early Lieder style, which is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The song is relatively short and uncomplicated, with a clear and straightforward emotional message. However, it also demonstrates Schubert's gift for melody and his ability to create a mood and atmosphere through music. The song was first performed in Vienna in 1821, and it quickly became popular among Schubert's contemporaries. It has since become a staple of the Lieder repertoire and is frequently performed and recorded today.

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