Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Mar 18, 1897

Average_duration

:

2:47

Hugo Wolf's 'Wohl denk ich oft (Michelangelo Lieder)' is a song cycle composed in 1897. The premiere of the cycle took place in Vienna in the same year. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which is based on a poem by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The poems are taken from Michelangelo's collection of sonnets, which were written in the 16th century. The first song in the cycle, 'Wohl denk ich oft', is a contemplative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second song, 'Alles endet, was entstehet', is a more dramatic piece that explores the theme of mortality. The third song, 'Fühlt meine Seele', is a passionate and intense piece that expresses the speaker's desire for spiritual fulfillment. The fourth song, 'Michelangelo', is a tribute to the artist himself. The music is grand and majestic, reflecting Michelangelo's stature as one of the greatest artists of all time. The fifth song, 'Rückert Lieder', is a more introspective piece that explores the theme of love and loss. The final song, 'Der Tambour', is a lively and energetic piece that brings the cycle to a close. The characteristics of the cycle are typical of Wolf's style. The music is highly expressive and emotional, with a strong emphasis on the text. Wolf was known for his ability to capture the mood and meaning of a poem in his music, and this cycle is no exception. The music is also highly chromatic, with frequent use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. Overall, 'Wohl denk ich oft (Michelangelo Lieder)' is a powerful and moving cycle that showcases Wolf's skill as a composer. The cycle is a testament to the enduring influence of Michelangelo's poetry, and a tribute to the power of music to capture the essence of a text.

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