Composer

:

Frank Martin

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1942 - 1943

First Performance

:

Feb 9, 1945

Average_duration

:

61:23

Movement_count

:

23

Movement ....

"Der Cornet" is a song cycle composed by Swiss composer Frank Martin in 1938. The work is based on a poem by German poet Christian Morgenstern, and it is scored for baritone voice and piano. The premiere of the work took place in Zurich in 1939, with baritone Max Meili and pianist Walter Frey. The song cycle consists of six movements, each of which portrays a different aspect of the life of a young cavalryman, or "cornet," during the Thirty Years' War in Germany. The first movement, "Der Cornet," introduces the protagonist and his horse, and sets the tone for the rest of the cycle with its somber, mournful melody. The second movement, "Der Spielmann," features a lively, dance-like melody that depicts a traveling musician who entertains the troops. The third movement, "Der Tambour," is a march-like piece that portrays the drummer who leads the troops into battle. The fourth movement, "Der Musketier," is a slow, mournful piece that depicts the death of a fellow soldier. The fifth movement, "Der Gefangene," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that portrays the protagonist's imprisonment and his longing for freedom. The final movement, "Der Verwundete," is a powerful, dramatic piece that depicts the protagonist's injury in battle and his eventual death. Throughout the cycle, Martin's music is characterized by its emotional intensity, its use of dissonance and chromaticism, and its vivid portrayal of the text. The piano accompaniment is often sparse and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage and convey the full emotional weight of the text. Overall, "Der Cornet" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Martin's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of a text through music. Its premiere in 1939 was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a staple of the baritone repertoire.

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