Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1827

Average_duration

:

2:47

"Irrlicht" is the ninth and penultimate song in Franz Schubert's song cycle "Winterreise," D. 911, Op. 89. The cycle was composed in 1827, just a year before Schubert's death, and premiered in Vienna in 1828. "Winterreise" consists of 24 songs, all set to poems by Wilhelm Müller, and tells the story of a young man who has been rejected by his lover and sets out on a journey through the winter landscape, experiencing despair, loneliness, and ultimately, acceptance of his fate. "Irrlicht" is a haunting and atmospheric song that captures the eerie beauty of a will-o'-the-wisp, or "Irrlicht" in German. The song is in the key of B-flat minor and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). The piano accompaniment is sparse and repetitive, with a descending figure that creates a sense of unease and uncertainty. The vocal line is similarly sparse, with long, sustained notes that convey a sense of longing and melancholy. The song is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes the will-o'-the-wisp in different terms. In the first stanza, the narrator describes the light as "a little light that flickers in the distance," and wonders if it might be a sign of civilization or a friendly guide. In the second stanza, the narrator realizes that the light is not a friendly guide, but rather a "false delusion" that leads him astray. In the final stanza, the narrator resigns himself to following the will-o'-the-wisp, saying "I will follow you, though you lead me to my doom." "Irrlicht" is a masterful example of Schubert's ability to create atmosphere and convey emotion through music. The sparse piano accompaniment and long, sustained vocal lines create a sense of desolation and despair, while the repetitive descending figure in the piano creates a sense of unease and uncertainty.

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