Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jan 1826

Average_duration

:

3:56

"Mignon und der Harfner" is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1826. It is the first song in his song cycle "Liederzyklus aus Wilhelm Meister" (Song Cycle from Wilhelm Meister), Op. 62, D. 877. The song cycle is based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship" and consists of 20 songs. The song "Mignon und der Harfner" is a duet between the characters Mignon and the Harper. It premiered on March 19, 1827, at a private concert in Vienna. The song is in A minor and has a moderate tempo. It is written for two voices and piano accompaniment. The song has two distinct movements. The first movement is sung by Mignon, a young girl who has been taken in by the main character Wilhelm Meister. She sings of her longing for her homeland and her desire to be reunited with her family. The second movement is sung by the Harper, a wandering musician who has also been taken in by Wilhelm Meister. He sings of his own sorrow and loneliness, and of his longing for death. The song is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood. The music is simple and understated, with a repetitive piano accompaniment that creates a sense of longing and sadness. The vocal lines are also simple and unadorned, with a focus on the emotional content of the lyrics. Overall, "Mignon und der Harfner" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of Schubert's style. It is a testament to his ability to create music that is both simple and profound, and to his skill in setting poetry to music.

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