Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1935

Average_duration

:

5:52

Das Augenlicht, Op. 26 is a composition for soprano, clarinet, and bass clarinet, composed by Anton Webern in 1935. The piece was premiered on May 4, 1935, in Vienna, Austria, with the soprano Maria Cebotari and the clarinetist Rudolf Jettel. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is based on a poem by Hildegard Jone. The first movement, "Das Augenlicht," is a setting of a poem about the loss of sight and the search for inner vision. The second movement, "Die Einsame," is a setting of a poem about loneliness and isolation. The final movement, "Die Nachtigall," is a setting of a poem about the nightingale's song and its effect on the listener. Webern's use of serialism is evident in the composition, with each movement based on a different twelve-tone row. The soprano's vocal line is often disjunct and angular, with frequent leaps and intervals. The clarinet and bass clarinet parts are similarly fragmented, with short, staccato phrases and sudden shifts in register. The overall effect of the composition is one of intense emotional expression, with the sparse instrumentation and dissonant harmonies conveying a sense of isolation and despair. The use of serialism and atonality also contributes to the sense of fragmentation and disorientation. Das Augenlicht, Op. 26 is a significant work in Webern's oeuvre, showcasing his mastery of serialism and his ability to convey complex emotions through sparse and fragmented musical textures.

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