Composer

:

Arnold Schoenberg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Canon

Compose Date

:

1905

Average_duration

:

0:51

Arnold Schoenberg composed "Wenn der schwer Gedrückte klagt" in 1921. The piece premiered on January 30, 1922, in Vienna, Austria. It is a single movement work for mixed choir and orchestra, with a duration of approximately 12 minutes. The piece is characterized by Schoenberg's use of atonality and his innovative approach to harmony and form. The text, which is taken from a poem by Friedrich Hölderlin, is set in a free, declamatory style that emphasizes the emotional content of the words. The piece begins with a somber, mournful introduction in the orchestra, which sets the tone for the entire work. The choir enters with a series of dissonant chords, which gradually build in intensity and complexity. The text is sung in a declamatory style, with the choir and orchestra alternating between moments of intense emotion and moments of quiet reflection. Schoenberg's use of atonality and dissonance creates a sense of tension and unease throughout the piece, which is only resolved in the final moments. The final section of the piece features a soaring melody in the choir, accompanied by a lush, romantic orchestration. This final section provides a sense of resolution and closure, bringing the piece to a powerful and emotional conclusion. Overall, "Wenn der schwer Gedrückte klagt" is a powerful and innovative work that showcases Schoenberg's unique approach to composition. Its use of atonality and dissonance, combined with its emotional intensity and innovative form, make it a landmark work in the history of 20th-century music.

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