Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Oct 1, 1847

Publication Date

:

1847

Average_duration

:

3:01

"Nachtlied, Op. 71/6" is a choral work composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1847. It was premiered on March 3, 1848, in Leipzig, Germany, by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Leipzig Singakademie. The piece is part of a set of six songs for mixed choir and orchestra, collectively known as "Sechs Lieder im Freien zu singen" (Six Songs to be Sung in the Open Air). The text for "Nachtlied" was written by Friedrich von Matthisson and is a poem about the beauty of nature at night. The piece is in three movements, with the first and third being slow and contemplative, while the second is faster and more lively. The first movement begins with a soft and gentle melody in the strings, which is then taken up by the choir. The second movement is more rhythmic and features a lively melody in the woodwinds. The final movement returns to the slower, more contemplative mood of the first, with a beautiful melody in the choir and a delicate accompaniment in the strings. One of the characteristics of Mendelssohn's music is his use of counterpoint, and "Nachtlied" is no exception. The piece features intricate harmonies and interweaving melodies, creating a rich and complex texture. Mendelssohn also uses dynamic contrasts to great effect, with sudden shifts from soft to loud and back again. Overall, "Nachtlied, Op. 71/6" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that captures the peacefulness and beauty of nature at night. Its intricate harmonies and use of counterpoint make it a masterpiece of choral music, and it remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire to this day.

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