Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Apr 24, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:36

Hugo Wolf's 'Wenn du, mein Liebster (Italienisches Liederbuch)' is a song cycle composed between 1890 and 1896. It premiered in Vienna in 1897, with the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of 46 songs, divided into two volumes, and is based on Italian poems translated into German by Paul Heyse. The first volume of the cycle contains 22 songs, while the second volume contains 24. The songs are arranged thematically, with the first volume focusing on love and the second volume on life and death. The cycle is known for its emotional intensity and its exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. The first movement of the cycle, 'Auch kleine Dinge', is a playful and lighthearted song about the joys of small things in life. The second movement, 'Man sagt mir, deine Mutter woll' es nicht', is a melancholic song about the disapproval of a lover's mother. The third movement, 'Gesegnet sei, durch den die Welt entstund', is a hymn to love and the power it holds over the world. Other notable movements in the cycle include 'Wie lange schon war immer mein Verlangen', a passionate love song; 'Ich liess mir sagen und mir ward erzählt', a humorous song about the fickleness of love; and 'Sterb' ich, so hüllt in Blumen meine Glieder', a haunting song about death and the beauty of nature. Overall, 'Wenn du, mein Liebster (Italienisches Liederbuch)' is a masterful exploration of the complexities of love and relationships, and a testament to Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. Its emotional intensity and beautiful melodies continue to captivate audiences today.

More....