Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jan 19, 1889

Average_duration

:

2:15

Phänomen (Goethe Lieder) is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf in 1888. The cycle consists of four songs, each of which sets a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to music. The premiere of the cycle took place in Vienna in 1888. The first song in the cycle, "Phänomen," is a setting of a poem in which Goethe reflects on the nature of existence. The music is characterized by a restless, searching quality, with the piano part providing a sense of forward motion. The vocal line is highly expressive, with frequent changes in dynamics and tempo. The second song, "Gleich und Gleich," is a setting of a poem in which Goethe reflects on the nature of love. The music is characterized by a gentle, flowing quality, with the piano part providing a sense of warmth and intimacy. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with a sense of tenderness and longing. The third song, "Selbstgeständnis," is a setting of a poem in which Goethe reflects on his own life and experiences. The music is characterized by a sense of introspection and reflection, with the piano part providing a sense of depth and complexity. The vocal line is highly expressive, with frequent changes in dynamics and tempo. The final song, "Zum Schluss," is a setting of a poem in which Goethe reflects on the nature of death. The music is characterized by a sense of resignation and acceptance, with the piano part providing a sense of finality and closure. The vocal line is highly expressive, with a sense of sadness and loss. Overall, Phänomen (Goethe Lieder) is a highly expressive and introspective song cycle that reflects the complex and nuanced poetry of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The music is characterized by a sense of searching, tenderness, and resignation, and is a testament to the enduring power of Goethe's poetry.

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