Composer

:

Boris Blacher

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

1:24

Boris Blacher's 'Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf No. 1, Kirschkerne, Op. 25/1' is a song cycle composed in 1947. The premiere of the work took place on 22nd January 1948 in Berlin, with the baritone singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and pianist Aribert Reimann performing. The song cycle consists of four movements, with the first movement titled 'Kirschkerne' (Cherry Stones). The text for the song cycle was written by Friedrich Wolf, a German writer and doctor who was known for his socialist and communist views. The text of 'Kirschkerne' is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker in the poem compares human life to a cherry stone, which is discarded after the fruit has been eaten. The music of the song is somber and reflective, with a slow tempo and a melancholic melody. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with long pauses between the phrases, creating a sense of emptiness and loss. Blacher's use of dissonance and chromaticism in the song adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty in the text. The vocal line is often angular and fragmented, reflecting the fragmented nature of life and the human experience. The song ends with a long, sustained note on the word "vergehen" (pass away), emphasizing the finality of death and the impermanence of life. Overall, 'Kirschkerne' is a powerful and poignant song that captures the essence of Friedrich Wolf's text. Blacher's music perfectly complements the text, creating a haunting and memorable work that is still performed and admired today.

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