Composer

:

Oswald von Wolkenstein

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:24

"Ach senliches leiden" is a medieval German song composed by Oswald von Wolkenstein, a prominent poet and composer of the late Middle Ages. The song is a lamentation about the pain of unrequited love and the longing for the beloved. It is a part of the larger collection of Wolkenstein's works, which includes over 120 songs and poems. The exact date of composition of "Ach senliches leiden" is not known, but it is believed to have been written in the early 15th century. The song was likely composed for a specific occasion or performance, as was common in the medieval period. The song is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a melancholic and plaintive tone that reflects the theme of the lyrics. The text is written in Middle High German, a language that was widely used in the German-speaking regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. The first stanza of the song expresses the speaker's sorrow and pain at being separated from the beloved. The second stanza describes the physical and emotional effects of this separation, including sleeplessness and tears. The third stanza concludes with a plea to the beloved to return and end the speaker's suffering. The characteristics of "Ach senliches leiden" reflect the style and themes of Wolkenstein's other works. His songs often deal with themes of love, chivalry, and courtly life, and are characterized by their simple melodies and direct, emotional lyrics. Wolkenstein was also known for his use of vernacular language in his works, which helped to popularize German as a literary language. Overall, "Ach senliches leiden" is a poignant and heartfelt expression of the pain of unrequited love, and a testament to the enduring power of medieval German poetry and music.

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