Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1903

Average_duration

:

3:24

Anton Webern's "Aufblick" is the second of his "8 Early Songs" composed between 1901 and 1903. The premiere of the song cycle was in 1953, long after Webern's death, at the Donaueschingen Festival in Germany. "Aufblick" is a short song, lasting only about a minute, and is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The text is a poem by Richard Dehmel, and the music is characterized by Webern's use of atonality and his interest in exploring the possibilities of musical expression through the use of small musical cells. The song is divided into two sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked "Sehr zart und innig" (very tender and intimate) and is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody in the piano accompaniment. The vocal line is similarly gentle, with the singer using a soft, almost whispered tone. The second section is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and is more rhythmically active than the first. The piano accompaniment features a series of short, staccato chords, while the vocal line is more declamatory, with the singer using a stronger, more forceful tone. Overall, "Aufblick" is a beautiful example of Webern's early style, which was heavily influenced by the music of Arnold Schoenberg and the Second Viennese School. The song's brevity and economy of means are characteristic of Webern's later works, which are known for their extreme concision and precision.

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