Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1823

Average_duration

:

2:20

"Wohin?" is the second song in Franz Schubert's song cycle "Die schöne Müllerin," Op. 25, D. 795. The cycle was composed in 1823 and is based on a set of poems by Wilhelm Müller. The premiere of the cycle is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been performed in private circles shortly after its composition. "Wohin?" is a strophic song with three verses, each set to the same music. The song is in the key of D major and is marked "Allegro moderato" in tempo. The piano accompaniment features a flowing, arpeggiated figure that evokes the sound of a brook. The vocal melody is lyrical and expressive, with a wide range of dynamics and phrasing. The text of "Wohin?" tells the story of a young miller who is wandering through the countryside, searching for his true love. He asks the brook where it is going, hoping that it might lead him to his beloved. The brook responds that it is always moving forward, never stopping, and that it cannot help the miller in his quest. The song is notable for its use of musical imagery to convey the themes of the text. The flowing piano accompaniment represents the brook, while the vocal melody rises and falls like the miller's emotions. The use of repetition in the strophic form reinforces the idea of the miller's endless search. Overall, "Wohin?" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of Schubert's artistry. Its combination of expressive melody and evocative piano accompaniment make it a classic example of the Romantic Lied.

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