Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1813

Average_duration

:

3:16

"Oh Would I Were" is a song composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, catalogued as WoO 154/9. It was composed in 1815 and premiered in Vienna in the same year. The song is part of a collection of songs known as "Irish Songs," which Beethoven composed in collaboration with the Irish poet Thomas Moore. The song is in the key of G major and has a moderate tempo. It consists of two verses and a chorus, with a simple and elegant melody that is typical of Beethoven's style. The accompaniment is also simple, with a gentle and flowing piano part that supports the vocal line. The lyrics of "Oh Would I Were" express a longing for a lost love and a desire to be reunited with that person. The first verse begins with the lines "Oh! would I were but that sweet linnet / That in the wild-wood sings and flies," and goes on to describe the freedom and joy that the bird experiences. The second verse continues the theme of longing, with the lines "Oh! would I were the rose that throws / Its fragrance on the summer gale," and expresses a desire to be close to the beloved once again. The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with the repeated line "Oh! would I were, oh! would I were / Where my true love lies beside me." This line is sung with increasing intensity and emotion, building to a climax in the final repetition. Overall, "Oh Would I Were" is a beautiful and poignant song that showcases Beethoven's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a timeless classic that continues to be performed and enjoyed today.

More....