Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1904

Publication Date

:

1905

First Performance

:

January 29, 1905

Average_duration

:

4:51

"Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen" is the second song in Gustav Mahler's song cycle "Kindertotenlieder" (Songs on the Death of Children). The cycle was composed between 1901 and 1904, and is based on a collection of poems by Friedrich Rückert, who wrote them in response to the death of his two children. The premiere of "Kindertotenlieder" took place in Vienna in 1905, with Mahler conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. The cycle consists of five songs, each of which deals with the theme of death and mourning. The second song, "Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen," is set in C minor and is marked "Sehr maßig bewegt" (Very moderately moving). The song begins with a mournful melody played by the oboe, which is then taken up by the voice. The text of the song describes the speaker's realization that the dark flames of grief that he has been feeling are a result of the death of his child. The song is structured in a modified strophic form, with the first and third verses being identical, and the second verse featuring a slightly different melody. The orchestration is spare, with the focus on the voice and the oboe. The overall effect is one of intense sadness and mourning. One of the characteristics of Mahler's music is his use of orchestration to convey emotion. In "Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen," the spare orchestration and mournful melody of the oboe create a sense of emptiness and loss. The use of a modified strophic form also contributes to the sense of repetition and the feeling of being stuck in grief. Overall, "Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen" is a powerful and moving song that captures the intense emotions of grief and mourning. Its spare orchestration and mournful melody make it a standout in Mahler's cycle of songs on the death of children.

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