Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

2:57

"An den Mond" (To the Moon), Op. 71/2, is a solo vocal work composed by Johannes Brahms in 1877. The piece is a setting of a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which describes the moon as a symbol of unrequited love and longing. The piece premiered on November 22, 1877, in Vienna, with the composer himself accompanying the singer. It is part of a collection of five songs, Op. 71, which Brahms composed for voice and piano. "An den Mond" is a slow and melancholic piece, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that creates a sense of longing and sadness. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases and a wide range of dynamics. The text is set in a strophic form, with each verse repeated with slight variations in the melody and accompaniment. The first movement begins with a gentle and flowing piano introduction, which sets the mood for the piece. The singer enters with the first verse, which describes the moon as a symbol of unrequited love and longing. The melody is simple and expressive, with a rising and falling contour that reflects the emotional content of the text. The second movement is more intense and dramatic, with a faster tempo and a more complex piano accompaniment. The singer expresses their frustration and despair, as they long for the love that they cannot have. The melody is more angular and dissonant, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo. The third movement returns to the gentle and flowing mood of the first, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that creates a sense of calm and resignation. The singer reflects on their unrequited love, and the beauty of the moon that reminds them of their longing. Overall, "An den Mond" is a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the emotional complexity of unrequited love. Brahms' setting of Goethe's poem is masterful, with a simple and expressive melody that perfectly complements the text.

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