Composer

:

Vaclav Jan Tomásek

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:23

"Der König in Thule, Op. 59/2" is a song composed by Vaclav Jan Tomásek, a Czech composer and pianist, in 1815. The song is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which tells the story of a king who, on his deathbed, drinks a cup of wine and throws his golden goblet into the sea, symbolizing his love for a woman who had died. The song is part of a collection of six songs, Op. 59, which were published in 1816. The song is written for a solo voice and piano, and is in the key of E-flat major. It is divided into three sections, or movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voice singing the opening lines of the poem over a simple piano accompaniment. The second movement is faster and more lively, with the voice singing of the king's love for the woman and the beauty of the land of Thule. The piano accompaniment is more complex, with arpeggios and runs that evoke the sea and the wind. The third movement returns to the slow, mournful character of the first, with the voice singing of the king's death and the throwing of the goblet into the sea. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with long, sustained chords that create a sense of finality and closure. Overall, "Der König in Thule, Op. 59/2" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the melancholy and romantic spirit of Goethe's poem. Tomásek's music is sensitive and expressive, with a deep understanding of the text and its emotional content. The song has been performed and recorded by many singers and pianists over the years, and remains a beloved part of the classical vocal repertoire.

More....