Composer

:

Viktor Ullmann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1942 - 1943

Average_duration

:

6:57

Abendphantasie is a composition for solo piano by Viktor Ullmann, a Jewish composer who was imprisoned in the Theresienstadt concentration camp during World War II. The piece was composed in 1943, during Ullmann's internment in the camp, and was premiered there by fellow prisoner Alice Herz-Sommer. The composition is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked "Andante con moto," is a melancholic and introspective piece that features a simple, repetitive melody in the right hand over a gently pulsing accompaniment in the left hand. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and playful piece that contrasts sharply with the first movement. It features a fast, syncopated rhythm and a more complex harmonic structure than the first movement. The third and final movement, marked "Adagio," returns to the introspective mood of the first movement, but with a more complex and dissonant harmonic language. It features a haunting melody in the right hand that is accompanied by a series of descending chords in the left hand. Overall, Abendphantasie is a deeply personal and emotional work that reflects Ullmann's experiences as a prisoner in the concentration camp. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet expressive melodies, its use of repetitive motifs, and its complex and dissonant harmonies. Despite the difficult circumstances under which it was composed, Abendphantasie stands as a testament to Ullmann's resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.

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