Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jan 26, 1880

Average_duration

:

2:04

Erwartung (Eichendorff Lieder) is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf in 1888. The premiere of the song cycle took place on January 27, 1891, in Vienna. The song cycle consists of five movements, each of which is based on a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff. The first movement, "Der Abend," is a melancholic and introspective piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "Nachruf," is a mournful and elegiac piece that reflects on the passing of a loved one. The third movement, "Erwartung," is the centerpiece of the cycle and is a dramatic and intense piece that explores the themes of love and longing. The fourth movement, "Auf ein altes Bild," is a nostalgic and wistful piece that reflects on the passing of time and the memories of youth. The final movement, "Abschied," is a bittersweet and poignant piece that brings the cycle to a close. The characteristics of Erwartung (Eichendorff Lieder) are typical of Hugo Wolf's style, which is characterized by its intense emotional expressiveness and its use of chromatic harmonies and complex textures. The song cycle is notable for its use of word painting, which is the technique of using music to reflect the meaning of the text. Overall, Erwartung (Eichendorff Lieder) is a powerful and moving song cycle that showcases Hugo Wolf's mastery of the art song form. Its themes of love, loss, and longing continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless masterpiece of the classical repertoire.

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