Composer

:

Fanny Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1828

Average_duration

:

1:46

"Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen" is a song composed by Fanny Mendelssohn in 1846. It premiered in Berlin on March 9, 1847, with Fanny's sister, the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn, accompanying on the piano. The song is part of a collection of six songs titled "Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte" (Six Songs for a Solo Voice with Piano Accompaniment). The song is in the key of E-flat major and has a slow and melancholic tempo. It is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is marked "Andante con moto" and features a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that sets the mood for the entire song. The second section is marked "Poco più lento" and features a more complex and expressive piano accompaniment that supports the singer's emotional delivery. The final section is marked "Andante" and returns to the simple and repetitive piano accompaniment of the first section. The lyrics of the song were written by the German poet Emanuel Geibel and describe the feeling of loneliness and isolation that one can experience while traveling in a foreign land. The song's title translates to "Night Lies on the Foreign Paths," and the lyrics speak of the darkness and uncertainty that can accompany a journey away from home. Overall, "Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Fanny Mendelssohn's skill as a composer. Its simple yet expressive piano accompaniment and emotional vocal delivery make it a standout piece in the canon of German lieder.

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