Composer

:

Sergey Rachmaninov

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

2:19

"What Happiness, Op. 34/12" is a song composed by Sergey Rachmaninov in 1912. It was premiered in Moscow on December 10, 1912, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Leonid Sobinov. The song is part of a cycle of 13 songs, collectively known as "Twelve Romances," which Rachmaninov composed between 1890 and 1916. "What Happiness" is a slow and melancholic song, with a simple and repetitive melody that is accompanied by a rich and expressive piano accompaniment. The song is in the key of G minor and has a moderate tempo. The vocal line is characterized by long and sustained notes, which require a great deal of control and expression from the singer. The song is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is marked "Andante," and it sets the melancholic tone of the song. The second section is marked "Poco più mosso," and it introduces a more agitated and passionate mood. The final section is marked "Tempo I," and it returns to the melancholic mood of the opening. The lyrics of "What Happiness" were written by the Russian poet Konstantin Balmont. The poem is a meditation on the nature of happiness and the fleeting nature of human joy. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the entire song: "What happiness, what happiness / Is hidden in this world of ours? / What secret joy, what secret joy / Is waiting for us in the future?" Overall, "What Happiness, Op. 34/12" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Rachmaninov's gift for melody and his ability to create rich and expressive piano accompaniments. The song is a testament to the composer's deep understanding of the human condition and his ability to capture complex emotions in music.

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