Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1849

Average_duration

:

1:27

Robert Schumann's 'Das verlassene Mägdelein, Op. 91/4' is a Lied (art song) composed in 1850. It was premiered in Leipzig on December 1, 1850, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, as the pianist. The song is part of a cycle of six Lieder titled 'Romanzen und Balladen', Op. 91. The song is set to a poem by Ludwig Uhland, which tells the story of a young maid who is abandoned by her lover. The maid is heartbroken and laments her fate, wishing for death to release her from her pain. The music captures the melancholic mood of the poem, with its slow and mournful melody. The song is in A minor and has a simple ABA form. The first section is in a slow tempo and is marked 'Sehr langsam und ausdrucksvoll' (very slow and expressive). The melody is simple and repetitive, with a descending motif that emphasizes the maid's sadness. The second section is in a faster tempo and is marked 'Etwas bewegter' (somewhat more animated). The melody is more varied and has a more hopeful tone, as the maid imagines her lover returning to her. The final section returns to the slow tempo of the first section, with the same melody as before. The piano accompaniment is also simple and supportive of the voice, with arpeggiated chords and occasional melodic fragments. The vocal line is expressive and requires a singer who can convey the emotional depth of the text. Overall, 'Das verlassene Mägdelein' is a poignant and beautiful Lied that showcases Schumann's skill in setting poetry to music. Its melancholic melody and expressive vocal line make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike.

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