Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1894

Average_duration

:

3:14

"Es ging ein Maidlein zarte" is a German folk song arranged by Johannes Brahms. The composition is part of his collection of 49 German folk songs, which he arranged for voice and piano. Brahms composed this piece in 1869, and it was first published in 1870. The song has a simple structure, consisting of two verses and a refrain. The melody is in a minor key, which gives it a melancholic and haunting quality. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with simple chords that support the vocal line. The first verse tells the story of a young maiden who goes out into the woods to gather flowers. She meets a young man who asks her to be his sweetheart, but she refuses him, saying that she is too young and inexperienced to know what love is. The second verse describes the maiden's regret at having rejected the young man, and her longing to be with him. The refrain, which is repeated after each verse, is a simple melody that emphasizes the melancholic mood of the song. The lyrics of the refrain express the maiden's sadness and longing: "Ah, my heart is heavy, heavy, heavy, and my eyes are full of tears." Overall, "Es ging ein Maidlein zarte" is a beautiful example of Brahms' skill as a composer and arranger of folk songs. The piece showcases his ability to create a simple yet powerful melody that captures the emotional depth of the lyrics. The haunting quality of the song, combined with its melancholic lyrics, make it a poignant and memorable piece of music.

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