Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Mar 22, 1888

Average_duration

:

2:07

"Rat einer Alten" is a song from the Mörike Lieder, a collection of 53 songs composed by Hugo Wolf between 1888 and 1891. The song was composed in 1888 and premiered in the same year. It is the 14th song in the collection. The song is set to a poem by Eduard Mörike, a German poet from the Romantic era. The poem tells the story of an old woman who advises a young girl to enjoy life while she can, as youth and beauty are fleeting. The old woman speaks from experience, having lived a long life and seen many things. She tells the girl to dance, sing, and enjoy the pleasures of life, as they will not last forever. The song is in the key of F major and is written for voice and piano. It is a slow, melancholy piece, with a simple, repetitive melody that reflects the old woman's advice. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with long, sustained chords that create a sense of sadness and longing. The song is divided into two sections, with a brief instrumental interlude between them. The first section is sung by the old woman, who advises the young girl to enjoy life while she can. The second section is sung by the young girl, who responds to the old woman's advice with a sense of resignation and sadness. Overall, "Rat einer Alten" is a poignant and reflective piece that captures the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. It is a testament to Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer, and his ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of Mörike's poetry.

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