Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1903

Average_duration

:

1:19

Anton Webern's "Der Tod" is the seventh of his "8 Early Songs," composed between 1901 and 1909. The song was premiered in Vienna in 1910. The song is a setting of a poem by Gustav Falke, which describes the inevitability of death and the peacefulness that comes with it. The text is set in a sparse, haunting melody, with Webern's characteristic use of dissonance and atonality. The song is scored for voice and piano, with the piano part consisting of sparse, angular lines that complement the vocal melody. The song is in a single movement, with a duration of approximately two minutes. The vocal line is characterized by its angularity and dissonance, with frequent leaps and unexpected intervals. The piano part is similarly sparse, with a focus on dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms. The overall effect is one of starkness and intensity, with the music reflecting the bleakness of the text. Overall, "Der Tod" is a powerful example of Webern's early style, which was characterized by his use of atonality and dissonance. The song's sparse, haunting melody and stark harmonies create a sense of unease and tension, reflecting the poem's themes of death and mortality. Despite its brevity, "Der Tod" is a powerful and memorable work that showcases Webern's unique musical voice.

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