Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

May 17, 1815

Average_duration

:

3:12

"An den Mond" (To the Moon) is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It is the third song in his Opus 57, a set of six Lieder. The song is set to a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which describes the speaker's longing for the moon to guide him to his beloved. The song premiered in Vienna in 1826, five years after Schubert's death. It was performed by the famous Austrian baritone Johann Michael Vogl, who was a close friend and frequent collaborator of Schubert. "An den Mond" is a relatively simple song, consisting of a single strophic verse and a refrain. The melody is gentle and flowing, with a lilting rhythm that evokes the movement of the moon. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with simple arpeggios and occasional chords that provide a delicate backdrop for the voice. The song is notable for its use of chromaticism, particularly in the piano accompaniment. Schubert uses chromatic harmonies to create a sense of longing and yearning, as the speaker gazes up at the moon and wishes for his beloved to be near. Overall, "An den Mond" is a beautiful and poignant song that showcases Schubert's gift for melody and his ability to capture the emotions of his text. Its simplicity and elegance have made it a beloved piece in the Lieder repertoire, and it continues to be performed and admired by singers and audiences alike.

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