Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Dec 5, 1831

Publication Date

:

1850

Average_duration

:

3:54

"Da lieg' ich unter den Bäumen" (There I lie beneath the trees) is a Lied (art song) composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1844. It is the first of six songs in his Opus 84, which were all composed in the same year. The song is set to a poem by Emanuel Geibel, a German poet and translator. The song premiered on January 25, 1845, at a concert in Leipzig, where Mendelssohn himself accompanied the singer, Julius Stockhausen, on the piano. The song was well-received by the audience and critics alike, and it quickly became one of Mendelssohn's most popular Lieder. "Da lieg' ich unter den Bäumen" is a simple and charming song that captures the peacefulness and beauty of nature. The song is in the key of A major and is written in a moderate tempo. It consists of two stanzas, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated after each stanza. The first stanza describes the speaker lying beneath the trees, listening to the birds singing and feeling the gentle breeze. The second stanza describes the speaker's thoughts turning to a loved one, who is far away but still present in their thoughts. The refrain, "O wärst du hier!" (Oh, if only you were here!), expresses the speaker's longing for their loved one's presence. The song is characterized by its simple and lyrical melody, which is accompanied by a delicate and flowing piano part. The vocal line is mostly in the middle range, with occasional high notes that express the speaker's emotions. The piano part is also relatively simple, with arpeggiated chords and occasional flourishes that add to the song's charm. Overall, "Da lieg' ich unter den Bäumen" is a beautiful and evocative song that captures the essence of Mendelssohn's Romantic style. Its simple melody and charming piano accompaniment make it a popular choice for singers and audiences alike.

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