Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

5:41

"Der Zwerg" (The Dwarf) is a song composed by Franz Schubert in 1822, with lyrics by Matthäus von Collin. It is part of a cycle of seven songs called "Schwanengesang" (Swan Song), which was published posthumously in 1829. The song is based on a story by the Spanish writer Pedro Calderón de la Barca, called "El conde de Tendilla" (The Count of Tendilla). The song premiered on March 14, 1823, at a private concert in Vienna, with Schubert himself accompanying the singer. It was later published as part of the "Schwanengesang" cycle, which was dedicated to the tenor singer Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld. "Der Zwerg" is a dramatic song, with a melancholic and tragic tone. It is written in A minor and has a slow tempo. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different mood and character. The first section is slow and mournful, with the singer describing the dwarf's appearance and his love for the princess. The second section is faster and more agitated, with the dwarf expressing his anger and frustration at the princess's rejection of him. The third section returns to the slow tempo of the first section, with the dwarf accepting his fate and resigning himself to his loneliness. The song is characterized by Schubert's use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of unease and tension. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its use of arpeggios and tremolos, which add to the emotional intensity of the song. Overall, "Der Zwerg" is a powerful and haunting song, which showcases Schubert's skill as a composer of dramatic music. Its themes of unrequited love, rejection, and loneliness continue to resonate with audiences today.

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