Composer

:

Hector Berlioz

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Sep 1841

Average_duration

:

4:55

Absence, H. 85, Op. 7/4 is a song composed by Hector Berlioz in 1841. It is part of a song cycle called Les nuits d'été (Summer Nights), which consists of six songs for voice and piano or orchestra. The premiere of the song cycle took place in 1843 in Paris, with the composer's wife, Harriet Smithson, as the soloist. Absence is the fourth song in the cycle and is set to a poem by Théophile Gautier. The song is in the key of G minor and has a slow tempo. It is marked "Très lent" (very slow) and "Douloureux et expressif" (painful and expressive) in the score. The song has a simple, melancholic melody that is repeated throughout the piece. The song begins with a piano introduction that sets the mood for the piece. The singer then enters with the first verse, which describes the pain of being separated from a loved one. The second verse describes the longing for the loved one's return and the hope that they will be reunited soon. The final verse expresses the fear that the separation may be permanent and the sadness that comes with that realization. The piano accompaniment is sparse and mostly consists of arpeggios and simple chords. The orchestral version of the song, which Berlioz later arranged, adds more depth and color to the accompaniment. The orchestration includes strings, woodwinds, and brass, and features a solo oboe and English horn. Overall, Absence is a poignant and emotional song that captures the pain of separation and the longing for reunion. It is a beautiful example of Berlioz's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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