Composer

:

Walter Braunfels

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1910

Average_duration

:

10:12

"Ariels Gesang, Op. 18" is a song cycle composed by Walter Braunfels in 1913. The work is based on William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" and consists of six movements. The premiere of the work took place in 1914 in Frankfurt, Germany. The first movement, "Ariel's Song," is a solo for soprano and sets the text of Ariel's famous song from Act I, Scene 2 of "The Tempest." The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with the soprano singing in a high register and accompanied by delicate piano arpeggios. The second movement, "Caliban's Song," is a solo for baritone and sets the text of Caliban's song from Act III, Scene 2. The music is dark and brooding, with the baritone singing in a low register and accompanied by heavy piano chords. The third movement, "Miranda's Song," is a solo for soprano and sets the text of Miranda's song from Act V, Scene 1. The music is tender and lyrical, with the soprano singing in a middle register and accompanied by flowing piano lines. The fourth movement, "Ferdinand's Song," is a solo for tenor and sets the text of Ferdinand's song from Act III, Scene 1. The music is joyful and exuberant, with the tenor singing in a high register and accompanied by lively piano rhythms. The fifth movement, "Prospero's Song," is a solo for baritone and sets the text of Prospero's famous speech from Act IV, Scene 1. The music is grand and majestic, with the baritone singing in a middle register and accompanied by sweeping piano chords. The final movement, "Epilogue," is a duet for soprano and baritone and sets the text of Prospero's final speech from Act V, Scene 1. The music is peaceful and serene, with the soprano and baritone singing in harmony and accompanied by gentle piano arpeggios. Overall, "Ariels Gesang, Op. 18" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that captures the magic and mystery of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." The music is highly expressive and showcases Braunfels' skill as a composer.

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