Composer

:

Fanny Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1828

Average_duration

:

1:14

'Wenn ich mir in stiller Seele' is a song composed by Fanny Mendelssohn in 1846. It was premiered in Berlin on March 15, 1846, with Fanny herself at the piano and her sister, the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn, conducting. The song is part of a collection of six songs for voice and piano, Op. 9, which Fanny dedicated to her husband, Wilhelm Hensel. 'Wenn ich mir in stiller Seele' is a Lied, a German art song, with a text by the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The song is in A-flat major and has a moderate tempo. It consists of three stanzas, each with its own melody and character. The first stanza is in a simple, flowing style, with the piano accompaniment providing a gentle, undulating rhythm. The second stanza is more dramatic, with the piano playing a series of arpeggios and the voice rising to a high note on the word "Himmel" (heaven). The third stanza returns to the calm, flowing style of the first, with the piano providing a delicate, rippling accompaniment. The text of the song is a meditation on the beauty of nature and the human soul's longing for transcendence. The first stanza describes the peacefulness of a quiet evening, with the stars shining in the sky and the soul at rest. The second stanza expresses a desire to rise above the earthly realm and reach for the heavens. The third stanza returns to the peacefulness of the first, with the soul finding comfort in the beauty of nature. The song is characteristic of Fanny Mendelssohn's style, which is marked by a lyrical, expressive melody and a sensitive, nuanced piano accompaniment. Fanny was a gifted pianist and her piano writing is particularly notable for its subtle use of harmony and texture. Her music is often compared to that of her brother Felix, who was also a prolific composer of Lieder. However, Fanny's music is distinguished by its emotional depth and introspective quality, which reflects her own personal struggles as a woman in a male-dominated society. In conclusion, 'Wenn ich mir in stiller Seele' is a beautiful and introspective Lied by Fanny Mendelssohn, with a sensitive and nuanced piano accompaniment and a text that expresses a longing for transcendence and a deep appreciation of the beauty of nature. It is a testament to Fanny's talent as a composer and her unique voice in the world of music.

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