Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1780

Average_duration

:

2:44

'Die Zufriedenheit Was frag ich viel, K. 349 (367a)' is a German lied composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1780. The piece was premiered in Vienna, Austria, on March 23, 1780, and was originally written for voice and piano. The text was written by Johann Andreas Schachtner and is a reflection on the idea of contentment and the futility of seeking happiness in material possessions. The piece is composed of two movements. The first movement is in the key of G major and is marked Andante. The piano accompaniment is light and delicate, with a simple melody that supports the vocal line. The vocal line is also simple, with a range of only a few notes. The text is set in a strophic form, with each verse set to the same melody. The overall mood of the first movement is peaceful and content. The second movement is in the key of C major and is marked Allegro. The piano accompaniment is more lively and energetic, with a more complex melody that supports the vocal line. The vocal line is also more complex, with a wider range of notes and more intricate phrasing. The text is set in a through-composed form, with each verse set to a different melody. The overall mood of the second movement is joyful and exuberant. The characteristics of 'Die Zufriedenheit Was frag ich viel, K. 349 (367a)' reflect Mozart's mastery of the German lied form. The simple melodies and strophic form of the first movement create a sense of peaceful contentment, while the more complex melodies and through-composed form of the second movement create a sense of joyful exuberance. The piece also reflects Mozart's ability to set text to music in a way that enhances the meaning of the words. The text of 'Die Zufriedenheit Was frag ich viel, K. 349 (367a)' is a reflection on the idea of contentment, and Mozart's music captures the essence of this idea in a way that is both beautiful and profound.

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