Composer

:

Alexander von Zemlinsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1937 - 1938

Average_duration

:

2:24

"Elend, Op. 27/7" is a composition by Austrian composer Alexander von Zemlinsky. It was composed in 1922 and premiered in Vienna on January 28, 1923. The piece is part of a larger work called "Sechs Gesänge, Op. 27" (Six Songs, Op. 27). "Elend" is the seventh and final song in the cycle and is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The text is a poem by Richard Dehmel, a German poet and writer. The poem describes the feeling of despair and hopelessness that comes with unrequited love. The piece is characterized by its haunting melody and dissonant harmonies. Zemlinsky uses chromaticism and unconventional chord progressions to create a sense of unease and tension. The piano accompaniment is sparse and atmospheric, adding to the overall mood of the piece. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct mood. The first section is slow and mournful, with the singer expressing their feelings of sadness and despair. The second section is more agitated, with the singer pleading for their love to be returned. The final section returns to the mournful mood of the beginning, with the singer resigned to their fate. Overall, "Elend, Op. 27/7" is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the pain and anguish of unrequited love. Zemlinsky's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies adds to the sense of unease and tension, making it a challenging but rewarding piece for both performers and listeners.

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