Composer

:

Hanns Eisler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1929 - 1930

Hanns Eisler's 'Balladen (6), Op. 18' is a collection of six ballads for voice and piano, composed in 1925. The premiere of the work took place in Berlin in 1926, with the composer himself at the piano. The six movements of the work are titled 'Die Ballade vom Wasserrad', 'Die Ballade vom angenehmen Leben', 'Die Ballade vom Soldaten', 'Die Ballade vom Seemann', 'Die Ballade vom preußischen Ikarus', and 'Die Ballade vom ertrunkenen Mädchen'. The first movement, 'Die Ballade vom Wasserrad', is a melancholic ballad that tells the story of a water wheel that has been abandoned and forgotten. The second movement, 'Die Ballade vom angenehmen Leben', is a satirical ballad that criticizes the bourgeois lifestyle and the pursuit of material wealth. The third movement, 'Die Ballade vom Soldaten', is a powerful anti-war ballad that portrays the horrors of war and the suffering of soldiers. The fourth movement, 'Die Ballade vom Seemann', is a romantic ballad that tells the story of a sailor who longs to return home to his beloved. The fifth movement, 'Die Ballade vom preußischen Ikarus', is a political ballad that criticizes the authoritarianism and militarism of the Prussian state. The final movement, 'Die Ballade vom ertrunkenen Mädchen', is a tragic ballad that tells the story of a young girl who drowns in a river. Eisler's 'Balladen (6), Op. 18' is characterized by its diverse range of themes and emotions, as well as its use of various musical styles and techniques. The work reflects Eisler's political and social concerns, as well as his interest in folk music and popular culture. The ballads are notable for their expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and evocative piano accompaniments. Overall, 'Balladen (6), Op. 18' is a significant work in Eisler's oeuvre, and a testament to his skill as a composer and his commitment to social justice.

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