Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Apr 19, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:39

Hugo Wolf's "Wenn du mich mit den Augen" is a song cycle from his "Italienisches Liederbuch" (Italian Songbook), which was composed between 1890 and 1896. The song cycle premiered in 1892 in Vienna, Austria. The cycle consists of 46 songs, which are divided into two volumes. "Wenn du mich mit den Augen" is the second song in the first volume. The song is a duet for soprano and baritone, and it is set to a text by Paul Heyse. The song is characterized by its playful and flirtatious tone. The music is light and airy, with a lively piano accompaniment that supports the vocal lines. The vocal lines themselves are melodic and expressive, with the soprano and baritone trading off lines and occasionally singing together in harmony. The song is structured in a simple ABA form, with the opening and closing sections featuring the same melody and text, while the middle section provides a contrasting musical and emotional mood. The opening section is marked by a playful and teasing tone, as the soprano sings about the power of her eyes to captivate and seduce the baritone. The middle section, by contrast, is more introspective and melancholic, as the baritone reflects on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of loss. The closing section returns to the playful and flirtatious tone of the opening, as the soprano and baritone exchange playful banter and flirtatious glances. Overall, "Wenn du mich mit den Augen" is a charming and delightful song that captures the playful and flirtatious spirit of the Italian Songbook. Its melodic and expressive vocal lines, lively piano accompaniment, and contrasting emotional moods make it a standout piece in Wolf's oeuvre.

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