Composer

:

Leevi Madetoja

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Average_duration

:

2:57

"You thought I was watching you, Op. 68/3" is a composition by Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja. It was composed in 1938 and premiered on March 17, 1939, in Helsinki, Finland. The piece is part of a larger work called "Three Songs for Voice and Piano," which includes two other songs: "The Nightingale" and "The Birch Tree." The composition is a solo vocal piece with piano accompaniment. It is a slow and melancholic song that tells the story of a person who is watching someone they love from afar. The lyrics, written by Finnish poet Eino Leino, describe the feelings of longing and sadness that come with unrequited love. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is characterized by a flowing melody in the piano accompaniment. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases that convey the sense of longing and yearning in the lyrics. The second movement is marked "Lento" and is more subdued than the first. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with simple chords that provide a gentle backdrop for the vocal line. The vocal line is more introspective in this movement, with shorter phrases that convey a sense of resignation and acceptance. The final movement is marked "Andante" and is the most dramatic of the three. The piano accompaniment is more complex, with arpeggios and runs that create a sense of tension and urgency. The vocal line is more forceful in this movement, with a sense of desperation and longing that builds to a climax before resolving into a final, quiet chord. Overall, "You thought I was watching you, Op. 68/3" is a beautiful and poignant composition that captures the emotions of unrequited love. Madetoja's music perfectly complements Leino's lyrics, creating a powerful and moving work that has become a beloved part of the Finnish art song repertoire.

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