Composer

:

Gustav Mahler

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Feb 27, 1880

First Performance

:

Sep 30, 1934

Average_duration

:

3:39

Winterlied is a song composed by Gustav Mahler in 1894. It was premiered in Vienna on January 20, 1895, with the composer himself conducting. The song is part of a collection of five songs titled "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" (Songs of a Wayfarer), which Mahler composed between 1884 and 1885. The Winterlied is the fourth song in the cycle. The Winterlied is a slow and melancholic song that reflects the mood of winter. The song is in the key of E-flat minor and is written for a solo voice and piano. The piano accompaniment is sparse and simple, with a repetitive pattern that creates a sense of stillness and coldness. The vocal line is also simple, with long, sustained notes that convey a sense of sadness and longing. The Winterlied is divided into three sections. The first section begins with the words "Gute Nacht, mein Liebchen" (Good night, my love), and sets the mood for the rest of the song. The second section begins with the words "Ich hab' ein glühend Messer" (I have a glowing knife), and is more intense and dramatic than the first section. The third section begins with the words "Daß ich dich verloren hab'" (That I have lost you), and is the most emotional and expressive section of the song. The Winterlied is characteristic of Mahler's early style, which is characterized by a focus on the individual voice and a sense of emotional intensity. The song reflects Mahler's interest in folk music, as well as his fascination with the natural world. The Winterlied is a haunting and beautiful song that captures the essence of winter and the human experience of loss and longing.

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