Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Aug 19, 1815

Average_duration

:

2:19

"Der Rattenfänger" is a song composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It was premiered in Vienna in the same year. The song is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which tells the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The song is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a lively and playful melody, which represents the joy and excitement of the children of Hamelin as they follow the Pied Piper. The music is light and airy, with a sense of movement and energy. The second section of the movement is more subdued, as the Piper leads the children out of the town and into the mountains. The music becomes more mysterious and ominous, as the children begin to realize that they may be in danger. The second movement is slower and more contemplative. It begins with a mournful melody, which represents the sadness and despair of the parents of the missing children. The music is somber and reflective, with a sense of loss and grief. The second section of the movement is more hopeful, as the parents begin to search for their children. The music becomes more optimistic and uplifting, as they refuse to give up hope. The third movement is the shortest of the three, and it is also the most dramatic. It begins with a frantic and frenzied melody, which represents the chaos and confusion of the town as they realize that their children are gone. The music is fast-paced and intense, with a sense of urgency and desperation. The second section of the movement is more subdued, as the Piper returns to the town and demands payment for his services. The music becomes more menacing and threatening, as the town realizes that they may have to pay a heavy price for their mistake. Overall, "Der Rattenfänger" is a complex and multi-layered song, which explores themes of loss, grief, hope, and redemption. Schubert's music perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere of Goethe's poem, and it remains one of his most popular and enduring works.

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