Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 30, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:12

Hugo Wolf's "Du sagst mir, dass ich keine Furstin" is a song from his collection of 46 songs titled "Italienisches Liederbuch" (Italian Songbook). The collection was composed between 1890 and 1896 and premiered in 1892. The songs are based on Italian poems translated into German by Paul Heyse and his wife, Maria. "Du sagst mir, dass ich keine Furstin" is the 16th song in the collection and is a duet for soprano and baritone. The song is in A minor and has a moderate tempo. The piano accompaniment is simple and repetitive, allowing the voices to take center stage. The song's lyrics are about a woman who is told by her lover that she is not a princess, but rather a simple girl. The woman responds by saying that she doesn't need to be a princess as long as she has her lover's love. The song's mood is playful and lighthearted, with the voices playfully teasing each other. The song is divided into three sections, with the first and third sections being sung by the soprano and the second section being sung by the baritone. The first section begins with the soprano singing the opening line, "Du sagst mir, dass ich keine Furstin bin" (You tell me that I am not a princess), followed by the baritone's response, "Und ich bin auch kein Konig" (And I am not a king either). The two voices then sing together, with the soprano singing, "Doch wenn ich in deinen Armen bin" (But when I am in your arms) and the baritone responding, "Dann fuhle ich mich wie ein Konig" (Then I feel like a king). The second section is sung by the baritone and is more serious in tone. He sings, "Ich bin ein armer Mann" (I am a poor man), to which the soprano responds, "Und ich bin arm an Gutern" (And I am poor in possessions). The baritone then sings, "Doch was ich hab', das geb' ich dir" (But what I have, I give to you), and the soprano responds, "Und was ich hab', das geb' ich dir" (And what I have, I give to you). The third section is a repeat of the first section, with the soprano and baritone singing together, "Doch wenn ich in deinen Armen bin, dann fuhle ich mich wie ein Konig" (But when I am in your arms, then I feel like a king). The song ends with the two voices playfully teasing each other, with the soprano singing, "Und du bist mein Konig" (And you are my king) and the baritone responding, "Und du bist meine Konigin" (And you are my queen). Overall, "Du sagst mir, dass ich keine Furstin" is a charming and playful duet that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill at setting poetry to music. The simple piano accompaniment allows the voices to shine, and the playful back-and-forth between the soprano and baritone adds to the song's lighthearted mood.

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