Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1850

Average_duration

:

5:09

"Der Handschuh, Op. 87" is a song composed by Robert Schumann in 1850. It is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which tells the story of a knight who throws his glove into a lion's den to prove his love for a lady. The lion returns the glove to the knight, but the lady rejects him for his recklessness. The song premiered on December 1, 1850, in Leipzig, Germany, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, as the soloist. It is part of a collection of songs called "Myrthen," which Schumann dedicated to Clara as a wedding gift. "Der Handschuh" is a single-movement song, with a duration of approximately six minutes. It is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The piano part is characterized by a dramatic and virtuosic style, with fast arpeggios and chord progressions that create a sense of tension and urgency. The vocal part is also highly expressive, with a wide range of dynamics and emotions. The singer must convey the knight's bravado and the lady's disdain, as well as the underlying themes of love, honor, and pride. The song is structured in a narrative form, with the piano introduction setting the scene of the lion's den. The vocal part then begins with the knight's challenge to the lady, followed by his daring act of throwing the glove. The middle section of the song features a dialogue between the knight and the lion, with the piano imitating the roar of the beast. The final section returns to the knight's plea to the lady, but ends with her rejection and the knight's resignation. Overall, "Der Handschuh" is a powerful and dramatic song that showcases Schumann's skill in setting poetry to music. It is a testament to his love for Clara and his admiration for Goethe's literary genius.

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