Composer

:

Hans Pfitzner

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:20

Sehnsucht, Op. 10/1 is a song composed by Hans Pfitzner in 1901. It premiered in Berlin on December 15, 1901, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Johannes Messchaert. The song is part of a cycle of six songs titled "Sechs Lieder, Op. 10," which Pfitzner composed between 1899 and 1901. Sehnsucht, which means "longing" or "yearning" in German, is the first song of the cycle and sets a poem by the German poet Friedrich Nietzsche. The song is in the key of F-sharp minor and has a slow and melancholic tempo. It is marked "sehr innig und ausdrucksvoll" (very intimate and expressive) and has a rubato character, with the tempo fluctuating according to the emotional content of the text. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different mood and character. The first section is in a simple A-B-A form and sets the opening lines of the poem, which express the speaker's longing for a distant land where he can find peace and happiness. The music is characterized by a descending melodic line and a repetitive accompaniment in the left hand, which creates a sense of yearning and restlessness. The second section is more agitated and intense, with a faster tempo and a more complex harmonic structure. It sets the middle section of the poem, which describes the speaker's inner turmoil and his struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The music is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and mood, with the piano and voice alternating between moments of tension and release. The third section returns to the opening material, but with a different harmonic and melodic treatment. It sets the final lines of the poem, which express the speaker's resignation and acceptance of his fate. The music is characterized by a sense of closure and resolution, with the piano and voice coming together in a final cadence. Overall, Sehnsucht is a deeply emotional and introspective song that reflects Pfitzner's interest in the Romantic tradition of German lieder. It showcases his skill in setting poetry to music and his ability to create a rich and expressive musical language that captures the nuances of the text.

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