Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 1826

Average_duration

:

3:04

Sehnsucht, D. 879, Op. 105/4 is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1828, just a few months before his death. It is part of a collection of six Lieder known as Schwanengesang, which were published posthumously in 1829. The premiere of Sehnsucht is not known, but it is believed to have been performed shortly after Schubert's death. Sehnsucht is a song about longing and yearning for something that is out of reach. The text, written by Ludwig Rellstab, describes a person who is standing on a hill, looking out over the landscape and feeling a deep sense of longing for something that he cannot have. The music perfectly captures the mood of the text, with its melancholic melody and harmonies that shift between major and minor keys. The song is in A-flat major and has a simple ABA form. The first section is slow and introspective, with a melody that rises and falls in a gentle wave-like motion. The second section is faster and more agitated, with a melody that is more angular and fragmented. The final section returns to the opening melody, but with a slightly different harmonic progression that gives it a sense of resolution. One of the most striking characteristics of Sehnsucht is its use of chromaticism. Schubert employs chromatic harmonies to create a sense of tension and unease, which perfectly reflects the mood of the text. The song also features Schubert's signature use of modulations, which add to the sense of longing and yearning that permeates the piece. Overall, Sehnsucht is a beautiful and poignant Lied that perfectly captures the essence of Schubert's music. Its haunting melody and evocative harmonies make it one of the most beloved songs in the Lieder repertoire.

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