Composer

:

Franz Schreker

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:34

Auf dem Gottesacker is a composition for mixed choir and orchestra by Franz Schreker. It was composed in 1909 and premiered on January 23, 1910, in Vienna. The piece consists of three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, "Totenfeier" (Funeral Rite), begins with a somber and mournful introduction by the orchestra. The choir then enters with a chant-like melody, singing about the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir and orchestra reaching a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, "Grablied" (Grave Song), is a slow and melancholic piece that features a solo soprano singing a mournful melody over a sparse and haunting orchestral accompaniment. The choir enters later in the movement, singing a text that reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The final movement, "Auferstehung" (Resurrection), is a triumphant and uplifting piece that celebrates the idea of resurrection and eternal life. The choir and orchestra begin with a joyful and exuberant fanfare, before launching into a lively and energetic dance-like section. The music builds to a powerful climax, with the choir and orchestra proclaiming the triumph of life over death. Overall, Auf dem Gottesacker is a deeply emotional and spiritual work that reflects Schreker's interest in themes of mortality and transcendence. The music is characterized by its lush harmonies, expressive melodies, and dramatic contrasts between light and dark, joy and sorrow. It remains a powerful and moving work that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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