Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1823

Average_duration

:

2:26

"Die böse Farbe" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1823 as part of his song cycle "Die schöne Müllerin," D. 795/17, Op. 25/17. The song cycle is based on a collection of poems by Wilhelm Müller, which tells the story of a young miller who falls in love with a beautiful girl, only to be rejected in favor of a hunter. "Die böse Farbe" is the seventeenth song in the cycle and is sung by the miller as he reflects on his unrequited love. The song is in A minor and is composed in a simple strophic form, with the same melody repeated for each verse. The piano accompaniment is sparse and melancholic, with a descending bass line that adds to the sense of sadness and despair in the song. The vocal line is similarly simple, with a range of only a few notes, but Schubert's use of chromaticism and dissonance creates a sense of tension and unease. The text of the song is a reflection on the color green, which the miller associates with his lost love. He describes the color as "evil" and "poisonous," and laments that it has taken away his happiness. The use of color symbolism is a recurring theme throughout the song cycle, with green representing jealousy and betrayal. "Die böse Farbe" was first performed in Vienna in 1824, and has since become one of Schubert's most popular lieder. Its simple melody and poignant lyrics have made it a favorite of singers and audiences alike, and it continues to be performed and recorded to this day.

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