Composer

:

Alphonse Hasselmans

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

5:12

I'm sorry, but Alphonse Hasselmans did not compose "Gretchen am Spinnrade (Marguerite au Rouet ou Fileuse), Op. 27". This piece was actually composed by Franz Schubert in 1814, and it is one of his most famous lieder (art songs). "Gretchen am Spinnrade" is based on a scene from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play "Faust", in which the character Gretchen is spinning wool while thinking about her love for Faust. Schubert's setting of the text captures the emotional intensity of Gretchen's inner turmoil, as she struggles with her conflicting feelings of love and guilt. The piece is composed for solo voice and piano, and it is in the key of D minor. It is structured in a single movement, with a simple A-B-A form. The opening section features a spinning-wheel motif in the piano accompaniment, which sets the scene for Gretchen's spinning. The vocal line is characterized by long, flowing phrases that convey Gretchen's emotional state. The middle section of the piece features a change in key and mood, as Gretchen reflects on her love for Faust. The vocal line becomes more agitated and passionate, as Gretchen's feelings become more intense. The piano accompaniment also becomes more complex, with rapid arpeggios and chromatic harmonies. The final section of the piece returns to the opening material, but with a sense of resolution and acceptance. Gretchen has come to terms with her feelings and is able to continue spinning, despite her inner turmoil. The piece ends with a gentle, peaceful coda. "Gretchen am Spinnrade" premiered in Vienna in 1820, and it quickly became one of Schubert's most popular songs. Its emotional intensity and expressive power have made it a favorite of singers and audiences alike, and it remains a staple of the art song repertoire to this day.

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