Composer

:

Sergey Rachmaninov

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

2:52

"You Knew Him" is a song composed by Sergey Rachmaninov as part of his Op. 34 collection of songs. The song was composed in 1912 and premiered in the same year. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a mournful melody that is typical of Rachmaninov's style. The song is in the key of G minor and has a time signature of 4/4. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement is marked "Andante," and it begins with a simple piano introduction that sets the mood for the piece. The vocal line enters with the words "You knew him," and the melody is haunting and mournful. The first movement is relatively short and serves as an introduction to the piece. The second movement is marked "Lento," and it is the longest and most complex section of the song. The vocal line is more elaborate in this section, with long, sustained notes and intricate melodic lines. The piano accompaniment is also more complex, with arpeggios and runs that add to the overall melancholic mood of the piece. The final movement is marked "Andante," and it is a return to the simplicity of the first movement. The vocal line is once again mournful and haunting, and the piano accompaniment is sparse and understated. The song ends with a final, mournful phrase that fades away into silence. Overall, "You Knew Him" is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that showcases Rachmaninov's skill as a composer. The mournful melody and melancholic mood of the piece are typical of Rachmaninov's style, and the song is a testament to his ability to evoke powerful emotions through music.

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