Composer

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Carl Loewe

Genre

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Vocal

Style

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Song

"Der verliebte Maikäfer" (The Amorous Maybug), Op. 64/1, is a song composed by Carl Loewe in 1837. It premiered in Berlin on January 22, 1838, with Loewe himself at the piano and the baritone singer Julius Stockhausen. The song is part of Loewe's collection of ballads and songs, which were inspired by folk tales and legends. "Der verliebte Maikäfer" tells the story of a maybug who falls in love with a rose. The maybug tries to impress the rose with his singing, but the rose rejects him, saying that she only loves the sun. The maybug then decides to fly towards the sun, hoping to win the rose's love. However, he ends up burning his wings and falling to the ground, where he dies. The song is divided into three movements, each representing a different part of the story. The first movement is slow and melancholic, representing the maybug's unrequited love for the rose. The second movement is more lively and playful, representing the maybug's attempts to impress the rose with his singing. The third movement is fast and dramatic, representing the maybug's tragic end. Loewe's use of chromaticism and dissonance in the song creates a sense of tension and unease, reflecting the maybug's emotional turmoil. The use of a baritone voice also adds to the melancholic and dramatic tone of the song. Overall, "Der verliebte Maikäfer" is a poignant and tragic tale of unrequited love, beautifully expressed through Loewe's musical composition.

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