Composer

:

Charles Tomlinson Griffes

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1903 - 1911

Publication Date

:

1970

First Performance

:

Mar 15, 1965

Average_duration

:

1:49

"An den Wind, A. 17" is a song cycle composed by Charles Tomlinson Griffes in 1917. The premiere of the song cycle was held on March 12, 1918, in New York City. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which is based on a poem by German poet Friedrich Nietzsche. The first movement, "Windeslied," is a lively and energetic piece that captures the essence of the wind. The second movement, "Ein Traum," is a dreamy and introspective piece that explores the idea of a dream. The third movement, "Auf geheimem Waldespfad," is a mysterious and haunting piece that evokes the feeling of walking through a secret forest path. The final movement, "Zum Abschied meiner Jugend," is a poignant and reflective piece that bids farewell to youth and embraces the inevitability of aging. Griffes' use of chromaticism and dissonance in the song cycle is characteristic of his style, which was heavily influenced by the French Impressionist movement. The use of extended harmonies and unconventional chord progressions creates a sense of tension and unease that is perfectly suited to the subject matter of the poems. Overall, "An den Wind, A. 17" is a masterful example of Griffes' unique style and his ability to capture the essence of poetry through music. The song cycle remains a popular and frequently performed work in the classical repertoire.

More....