Composer

:

Hanns Eisler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

2:02

Hanns Eisler's "Über den Selbstmord" is a song cycle composed in 1928, with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. The premiere of the work took place in Berlin in 1929, with the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of six movements, each exploring different aspects of suicide. The first movement, "Die Ballade vom ertrunkenen Mädchen" (The Ballad of the Drowned Girl), tells the story of a young woman who drowns herself in a river after being abandoned by her lover. The music is mournful and melancholic, with a slow and steady pace that reflects the girl's final moments. The second movement, "Die Ballade vom Wasserrad" (The Ballad of the Waterwheel), is a more upbeat and rhythmic piece that explores the idea of suicide as a form of rebellion against the oppressive forces of society. The music is characterized by a driving, repetitive rhythm that suggests the relentless march of time and the inevitability of death. The third movement, "Die Ballade von den Seeräubern" (The Ballad of the Pirates), is a dark and brooding piece that explores the idea of suicide as a form of escape from the harsh realities of life. The music is characterized by a slow and mournful melody that suggests the despair and hopelessness of those who choose to end their own lives. The fourth movement, "Die Ballade vom angenehmen Leben" (The Ballad of the Pleasant Life), is a satirical piece that pokes fun at the idea of suicide as a romantic or noble act. The music is light and playful, with a jaunty melody that suggests the absurdity of such notions. The fifth movement, "Die Ballade vom ertrunkenen Pferd" (The Ballad of the Drowned Horse), is a haunting and atmospheric piece that explores the idea of suicide as a form of sacrifice. The music is characterized by a slow and mournful melody that suggests the tragic nature of such acts. The final movement, "Die Ballade vom preußischen Ikarus" (The Ballad of the Prussian Icarus), is a powerful and dramatic piece that explores the idea of suicide as a form of defiance against authority. The music is characterized by a driving, martial rhythm that suggests the strength and determination of those who choose to take their own lives in the face of oppression. Overall, "Über den Selbstmord" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores the complex and often contradictory nature of suicide. Through its six movements, the cycle offers a nuanced and multifaceted exploration of this difficult and controversial topic, challenging listeners to confront their own beliefs and assumptions about life, death, and the human condition.

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