Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1828

Average_duration

:

4:24

"Am Meer" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert as part of his song cycle "Schwanengesang," D. 957/12. The song was composed in 1828, just a few months before Schubert's death. It premiered in Vienna in 1829, a year after Schubert's death. "Am Meer" is the twelfth and final song in the "Schwanengesang" cycle. The song is set to a poem by Heinrich Heine, which tells the story of a man standing by the sea, contemplating his lost love. The song is in the key of C minor and is written for a solo voice and piano. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first section is slow and mournful, with the piano playing a simple, repetitive accompaniment while the singer sings of the sea and his lost love. The second section is faster and more agitated, with the singer expressing his anger and frustration at his situation. The final section returns to the slow, mournful mood of the opening, with the singer resigning himself to his fate. "Am Meer" is a prime example of Schubert's ability to convey complex emotions through music. The song is full of contrasts, with the slow, mournful sections contrasting with the faster, more agitated sections. The piano accompaniment is simple yet effective, providing a backdrop for the singer's emotional outpourings. The song is also notable for its use of chromaticism, with Schubert using chromatic harmonies to convey the sense of longing and despair expressed in the lyrics. Overall, "Am Meer" is a powerful and moving song that showcases Schubert's mastery of the art of lieder. Its haunting melody and emotional depth have made it a favorite of singers and audiences alike, and it remains one of Schubert's most beloved works.

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