Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1900

Average_duration

:

4:57

"Des Dichters Abendgang" (The Poet's Evening Walk), Op. 47/2, is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1900. It was premiered on November 22, 1900, in Berlin, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Anton Sistermanns. The song is part of a collection of six songs called "Sechs Lieder, Op. 47" (Six Songs, Op. 47), which Strauss composed between 1899 and 1900. The collection is based on poems by the German poet Adolf Friedrich von Schack. "Des Dichters Abendgang" is the second song of the collection and is written for a solo voice and piano. The poem describes a poet's evening walk through a forest, where he contemplates the beauty of nature and the transience of life. The music reflects the mood of the poem, with a melancholic and introspective character. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different tempo and mood. The first section is marked "Andante," and it begins with a gentle piano introduction that sets the mood for the song. The singer enters with a soft and contemplative melody that reflects the poet's thoughts. The second section is marked "Allegro molto," and it is more energetic and lively than the first. The piano plays a fast and rhythmic accompaniment, while the singer's melody becomes more intense and passionate. The third section is marked "Andante," and it returns to the mood of the first section. The piano plays a soft and delicate accompaniment, while the singer's melody becomes more introspective and melancholic. The song's characteristics include its use of chromatic harmonies, which create a sense of tension and unease, and its use of dynamic contrasts, which highlight the emotional content of the poem. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its use of arpeggios and broken chords, which create a sense of movement and flow. Overall, "Des Dichters Abendgang" is a beautiful and introspective song that reflects the mood of the poem it sets to music. Its use of chromatic harmonies and dynamic contrasts make it a challenging piece for singers and pianists alike, but its emotional depth and beauty make it a rewarding one to perform.

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