Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

Jul 23, 1912

First Performance

:

Nov 10, 1912

Average_duration

:

9:27

"O Tod, wie bitter bist du" (O Death, how bitter you are) is a composition for solo voice and piano by German composer Max Reger. It is the third of his Opus 110, a set of three songs based on texts by Friedrich Hebbel. The composition was completed in 1908 and premiered in Leipzig on January 23, 1909. The song is in a single movement and is characterized by its somber and mournful tone. The piano accompaniment is sparse and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal line is highly expressive, with long, sweeping phrases and dramatic shifts in dynamics. The text of the song is a meditation on death and the inevitability of mortality. The opening lines set the tone: "O Death, how bitter you are / You take away all that is dear to us / You rob us of our happiness and joy." The song goes on to explore the idea that death is an inescapable part of life, and that even the most beautiful and beloved things in the world must eventually come to an end. Despite its dark subject matter, "O Tod, wie bitter bist du" is a deeply moving and powerful work. Reger's skillful use of harmony and melody creates a sense of profound sadness and loss, while the vocal line conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance. The result is a haunting and unforgettable musical experience.

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