Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

6:05

'Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!, Op. 35/2' is a song cycle composed by Robert Schumann in 1840. The cycle consists of three movements and was premiered on December 1, 1840, in Leipzig, Germany. The first movement, 'Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!', is a lively and energetic piece in 6/8 time. The text, written by Friedrich Rückert, speaks of the joys and sorrows of love, and the need to embrace both in order to truly live. Schumann's music captures the emotional intensity of the text, with its shifting harmonies and dynamic contrasts. The second movement, 'Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome', is a slower and more contemplative piece in 4/4 time. The text, also by Rückert, speaks of the river Rhine and its symbolic significance as a source of life and renewal. Schumann's music is characterized by its flowing melodies and rich harmonies, which evoke the gentle ebb and flow of the river. The final movement, 'Ich wandelte unter den Bäumen', is a hauntingly beautiful piece in 3/4 time. The text, by Heinrich Heine, speaks of a solitary wanderer in a forest, who is haunted by memories of lost love. Schumann's music is characterized by its delicate textures and subtle shifts in mood, which capture the melancholy and longing of the text. Overall, 'Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!, Op. 35/2' is a masterful example of Schumann's artistry as a composer of lieder. The cycle showcases his ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of poetry through his music, and to create a seamless integration of text and music that is both expressive and evocative.

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