Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

March 31, 1890

Average_duration

:

2:33

"Eide, so die Liebe schwur" (Spanisches Liederbuch) is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf. The cycle was composed between 1890 and 1896 and premiered in 1896. The cycle consists of 44 songs, divided into two volumes. The texts are taken from a collection of Spanish poems translated into German by Emanuel Geibel and Paul Heyse. The cycle is divided into two volumes, with the first volume consisting of 25 songs and the second volume consisting of 19 songs. The songs are arranged thematically, with the first volume focusing on love and the second volume focusing on religious themes. The first volume of the cycle is characterized by its passionate and sensual nature. The songs are filled with longing, desire, and the pain of unrequited love. The music is characterized by its use of chromaticism, dissonance, and unconventional harmonies. The vocal lines are often highly expressive, with the singer required to navigate complex melodic lines and challenging vocal leaps. The second volume of the cycle is characterized by its religious themes. The songs are filled with references to God, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. The music is characterized by its use of modal harmonies, simple melodies, and a more restrained emotional palette. The vocal lines are often more straightforward, with the emphasis on clarity and simplicity. Overall, "Eide, so die Liebe schwur" (Spanisches Liederbuch) is a masterful example of Hugo Wolf's artistry. The cycle showcases his ability to set poetry to music in a way that is both emotionally powerful and musically sophisticated. The cycle remains a beloved and frequently performed work in the classical music repertoire.

More....