Composer

:

Arnold Schoenberg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1899

Average_duration

:

12:02

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Arnold Schoenberg's 'Songs (4) for voice & piano, Op. 2' is a collection of four songs composed in 1907. The premiere of the work took place in Vienna in 1909. The four movements of the work are titled 'Erwartung' (Expectation), 'Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm' (Give me your golden comb), 'Erhebung' (Elevation), and 'Waldsonne' (Forest Sun). The first movement, 'Erwartung', is a setting of a poem by Richard Dehmel. The music is characterized by its chromaticism and dissonance, which reflect the intense emotions expressed in the text. The piano part is particularly complex, with frequent changes in texture and harmony. The second movement, 'Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm', is a setting of a poem by Gustav Falke. The music is more lyrical and tonal than the first movement, with a flowing piano accompaniment and a vocal melody that is more singable. The text describes a romantic encounter between two lovers, and the music reflects the tenderness and intimacy of the scene. The third movement, 'Erhebung', is a setting of a poem by Stefan George. The music is characterized by its slow tempo and sparse texture, with long pauses between phrases. The vocal line is often declamatory, with a sense of grandeur and nobility that reflects the lofty sentiments expressed in the text. The final movement, 'Waldsonne', is a setting of a poem by Johannes Schlaf. The music is characterized by its bright, sunny character, with a lively piano accompaniment and a vocal melody that is full of energy and optimism. The text describes the beauty of nature and the joy of being alive, and the music reflects this sense of exuberance and vitality. Overall, 'Songs (4) for voice & piano, Op. 2' is a significant work in Schoenberg's early career, marking a transition from the late Romantic style of his early works to the more dissonant and atonal style of his later works. The songs are challenging for both the singer and the pianist, requiring a high level of technical skill and musical sensitivity to bring out the full range of emotions and colors in the music.

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