Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1828

Average_duration

:

2:16

"Der Atlas" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert as part of his song cycle "Die Winterreise," D. 957/8. The song cycle was composed in 1827 and premiered in 1828. "Der Atlas" is the eighth song in the cycle and is set to a poem by Wilhelm Müller. The song is in the key of D minor and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). It is a mournful and dramatic piece, with a powerful piano accompaniment that evokes the weight of the world on Atlas' shoulders. The vocal line is also very expressive, with long, sustained notes and a wide range of dynamics. The poem tells the story of Atlas, the Titan who was punished by Zeus to hold up the sky on his shoulders for eternity. The narrator of the song compares his own suffering to that of Atlas, saying that he too feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. The song ends with the narrator asking Atlas to let him rest his head on his shoulders and forget his pain. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is slow and mournful, with a descending piano accompaniment that evokes the weight of the world. The second section is more agitated, with a faster tempo and a more complex piano accompaniment. The vocal line is also more intense, with a wide range of dynamics and a sense of desperation. The third section returns to the slow, mournful character of the first section, with a simple piano accompaniment and a more subdued vocal line. Overall, "Der Atlas" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades "Die Winterreise." It is a testament to Schubert's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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