Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1852

Average_duration

:

38:31

Movement_count

:

14

Movement ....

"Des Sängers Fluch, Op. 139" is a song cycle composed by Robert Schumann in 1852. The premiere of the work took place on December 1, 1852, in Leipzig, Germany. The cycle consists of nine movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by Ludwig Uhland. The first movement, "Der Sänger," sets the scene for the cycle, introducing the character of the singer who has been cursed by a king for singing a song that offended him. The second movement, "Der Spielmann," tells the story of a wandering musician who is also cursed by the king for playing a song that he did not like. The third movement, "Des Sängers Fluch," is the centerpiece of the cycle, and it tells the story of the singer's curse. The singer is doomed to wander the earth, never finding rest or peace, until he can find someone who will take up his cause and sing his song. The fourth movement, "Liebeszauber," is a love song that tells the story of a young woman who is under a spell and cannot resist the charms of her lover. The fifth movement, "Die heiligen drei Könige aus Morgenland," is a Christmas carol that tells the story of the three wise men who came to visit the baby Jesus. The sixth movement, "Der verliebte Reisende," is a humorous song about a traveler who falls in love with a woman he meets on his journey. The seventh movement, "Der bekehrte Trinker," is a serious song about a man who has given up drinking and has found a new purpose in life. The eighth movement, "Der Alte König in Thule," is a ballad that tells the story of an old king who is dying and gives his beloved goblet to his mistress as a token of his love. The final movement, "Trost im Gesang," is a song of comfort that tells the singer that even though he is cursed, he can find solace in his music. Overall, "Des Sängers Fluch, Op. 139" is a powerful and emotional song cycle that showcases Schumann's skill as a composer and his ability to set poetry to music. The cycle is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and dramatic storytelling, and it remains a beloved work in the classical music repertoire.

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