Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1908

Average_duration

:

3:14

Anton Webern's 'Entflieht auf leichten Kähnen, Op. 2' is a song cycle composed in 1908. The premiere of the work took place in Vienna in 1910. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by Stefan George. The poems explore themes of love, nature, and the transience of life. The first movement, 'Entflieht auf leichten Kähnen', is a gentle and flowing piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, 'Schmerzen', is more intense and dramatic, with dissonant harmonies and angular melodies that reflect the pain and anguish of the text. The third movement, 'Heiter', is a lively and playful piece that celebrates the joys of love and nature. The fourth movement, 'Seligkeit', is a serene and peaceful piece that expresses a sense of contentment and fulfillment. The final movement, 'Trunken', is a passionate and ecstatic piece that celebrates the beauty and intensity of love. Webern's music in 'Entflieht auf leichten Kähnen' is characterized by its use of atonality and serialism. The composer uses a twelve-tone row to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the cycle. The music is also characterized by its economy of means, with each movement consisting of only a few minutes of music. The vocal writing is often sparse and angular, with the voice serving as an instrument that blends with the piano accompaniment. Overall, 'Entflieht auf leichten Kähnen, Op. 2' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Webern's unique musical voice. The cycle is a testament to the power of music to express complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful way.

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