Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Dec 18, 1888

Average_duration

:

2:23

Hugo Wolf's "Mignon II (Goethe Lieder)" is a song cycle composed in 1888. The premiere of the work was in Vienna in 1889. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which sets a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The first movement, "Heiss mich nicht reden" (Do not ask me to speak), is a slow and melancholic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, allowing the singer to convey the sadness and longing of the text. The second movement, "Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt" (Only he who knows longing), is a more upbeat and lively piece. The piano accompaniment is more complex, with a driving rhythm that propels the singer forward. The text speaks of the pain of unrequited love, and the music captures the intensity of the emotions involved. The third movement, "So lasst mich scheinen" (Let me appear), is a slower and more introspective piece. The piano accompaniment is again sparse, allowing the singer to convey the sense of isolation and loneliness expressed in the text. The final movement, "Kennst du das Land" (Do you know the land), is the most famous of the cycle. It is a slow and haunting piece that captures the beauty and mystery of the land of the singer's dreams. The piano accompaniment is again delicate and sparse, allowing the singer to convey the sense of wonder and longing expressed in the text. Overall, "Mignon II (Goethe Lieder)" is a beautiful and moving song cycle that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. The music is sensitive and expressive, and the text is full of emotion and meaning. It is a work that continues to be performed and appreciated by audiences today.

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