Composer

:

Peter Cornelius

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Peter Cornelius' "Schäfers Nachtlied" is a German art song composed in 1856. The piece premiered in Vienna in 1857 and quickly became one of Cornelius' most popular works. The song is set to a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and is part of a larger collection of songs known as "Goethe Lieder." "Schäfers Nachtlied" is a single-movement piece that features a simple, yet beautiful melody. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The piano part is relatively simple, with a gentle, flowing accompaniment that supports the vocal line. The song's text is a pastoral poem that describes the beauty of nature and the peace that can be found in the countryside. The poem begins with the lines "Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh, in allen Wipfeln spürest du kaum einen Hauch" (Above all the peaks is peace, in all the treetops you feel hardly a breath). The poem goes on to describe the tranquility of the night and the beauty of the stars. Cornelius' setting of the poem is simple and elegant, with a melody that perfectly captures the peaceful mood of the text. The vocal line is relatively straightforward, with a few moments of gentle ornamentation that add to the song's beauty. The piano accompaniment is also relatively simple, with a gentle, flowing rhythm that supports the vocal line. Overall, "Schäfers Nachtlied" is a beautiful and peaceful art song that perfectly captures the mood of Goethe's pastoral poem. Its popularity has endured for over a century, and it remains a beloved piece in the German art song repertoire.

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