Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Jan 16, 1889

Average_duration

:

1:26

"Was in der Schenke waren heute" is a song composed by Hugo Wolf, a prominent Austrian composer of the late Romantic era. The song is part of his collection of Goethe Lieder, which consists of 51 songs based on poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The composition date of "Was in der Schenke waren heute" is not precisely known, but it is believed to have been composed between 1888 and 1890. The song was premiered in Vienna in 1891, with the baritone singer Anton Sistermanns and the composer himself at the piano. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Allegro vivace," and it is a lively and energetic portrayal of the scene in the tavern. The second movement, marked "Andante con moto," is more introspective and melancholic, as the narrator reflects on his lost love. The final movement, marked "Allegro," returns to the lively and energetic mood of the opening, as the narrator joins in the revelry of the tavern once again. The characteristics of "Was in der Schenke waren heute" reflect Wolf's skillful use of musical motifs and his ability to capture the emotional depth of Goethe's poetry. The lively and energetic opening movement is characterized by a driving rhythm and a playful melody, which evoke the festive atmosphere of the tavern. The second movement, by contrast, is more introspective and melancholic, with a haunting melody that captures the narrator's sense of loss and longing. The final movement returns to the lively and energetic mood of the opening, but with a sense of bittersweet nostalgia that reflects the narrator's mixed feelings about his time in the tavern. Overall, "Was in der Schenke waren heute" is a masterful example of Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer and his ability to bring the emotional depth of Goethe's poetry to life through music.

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