Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 1877

Average_duration

:

11:19

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Johannes Brahms composed his 'Songs (5), Op. 71' in 1877. The songs were premiered in Vienna on November 20, 1877, with Brahms himself accompanying the singer, Hermine Spies. The five songs are: 1. "Vergebliches Ständchen" (Futile Serenade) 2. "Alte Liebe" (Old Love) 3. "Gestillte Sehnsucht" (Stilled Longing) 4. "Geistliches Wiegenlied" (Spiritual Lullaby) 5. "Mondenschein" (Moonlight) The first song, "Vergebliches Ständchen," is a humorous piece about a man serenading his love, only to be ignored. The second song, "Alte Liebe," is a nostalgic piece about a past love that still lingers in the singer's heart. "Gestillte Sehnsucht" is a peaceful and introspective song about finding contentment in life. The fourth song, "Geistliches Wiegenlied," is a lullaby with a religious theme, expressing the hope that the child being sung to will grow up to be a good person. The final song, "Mondenschein," is a romantic piece about the beauty of the moonlight. Brahms' 'Songs (5), Op. 71' are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive piano accompaniments. The songs are written for a solo voice and piano, and Brahms' piano writing is particularly noteworthy for its intricate interplay with the vocal line. The songs are also notable for their emotional depth and sensitivity, with Brahms' music perfectly capturing the mood and meaning of each text. Overall, 'Songs (5), Op. 71' is a beautiful and moving collection of songs that showcases Brahms' mastery of the art song genre.

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