Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

May 1, 1830

Average_duration

:

2:44

"Der Bettler" is a song composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1830. It was premiered in Leipzig on January 1, 1831, with the composer himself at the piano and the singer Eduard Devrient. The song is part of a collection of six songs, Op. 6, which Mendelssohn composed during his teenage years. "Der Bettler" is a lied, a type of German art song that combines poetry and music. The text is by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of the most important German writers of the Romantic era. The poem tells the story of a beggar who asks for alms from a rich man. The rich man refuses to give him anything, and the beggar curses him. The song is in A minor and has a slow tempo. It consists of three stanzas, each with a different melody. The piano accompaniment is simple and repetitive, with a descending bass line that creates a sense of melancholy. The first stanza is sung in a low register, with a mournful melody that reflects the beggar's sadness and desperation. The second stanza is more agitated, with a faster tempo and a higher register. The beggar's curse is expressed with a rising melody that reaches a climax on the word "verflucht" (cursed). The third stanza returns to the slow tempo of the first, but with a different melody that expresses resignation and acceptance. The final line, "Gott segne dich!" (God bless you!), is sung softly and tenderly, as if the beggar has forgiven the rich man. "Der Bettler" is a typical example of Mendelssohn's early style, which was influenced by the music of Mozart and Beethoven. The song is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, with a clear separation between the vocal and piano parts. Mendelssohn's use of harmony is also noteworthy, with unexpected modulations and chromaticism that add emotional depth to the music. The song is a testament to Mendelssohn's talent as a composer, even at a young age, and his ability to capture the essence of a poem in music.

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