Composer

:

Alban Berg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1904

Average_duration

:

1:09

Alban Berg's "Schlummerlose Nächte" (Sleepless Nights) is a song cycle composed in 1901-1903. The work was premiered in Vienna in 1905, with the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of seven songs, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first song, "Nacht," sets the tone for the cycle with its dark and brooding atmosphere. The second song, "Schlaflos, Frage und Antwort," is a dialogue between a sleepless lover and his beloved, with the music reflecting the tension and anxiety of the situation. The third song, "Traumgekrönt," is a dreamy and ethereal piece, with the singer describing a beautiful dream world. The fourth song, "Im Zimmer," is a haunting and introspective piece, with the singer reflecting on his own mortality. The fifth song, "Liebesode," is a passionate and intense love song, with the music reflecting the ecstasy and longing of the lover. The sixth song, "Sommertage," is a nostalgic and wistful piece, with the singer reminiscing about a past summer. The final song, "Warm die Lüfte," is a joyful and celebratory piece, with the singer reveling in the beauty of nature and the joy of life. Throughout the cycle, Berg's music is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and vivid imagery. The songs are deeply emotional and introspective, reflecting the composer's own struggles with love, death, and the human condition.

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