Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

0:54

"Verratene Liebe" (Betrayed Love) is a song composed by Robert Schumann, Op. 40/5. It was composed in 1840, during Schumann's "Liederjahr" (Year of Song), a period in which he composed over 140 songs. The song was premiered in Leipzig on December 1, 1840, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, as the pianist. "Verratene Liebe" is the fifth song in Schumann's song cycle "Dichterliebe" (Poet's Love), which consists of sixteen songs set to poems by Heinrich Heine. The song cycle tells the story of a man's unrequited love for a woman, and his subsequent heartbreak and despair. The song is in A-flat major and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). It is a mournful and melancholic piece, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that underscores the singer's sorrow. The vocal line is characterized by long, sustained notes and a wide range of dynamics, from soft and tender to loud and anguished. The text of "Verratene Liebe" tells the story of a man who has been betrayed by his lover. He laments the loss of his love and the pain that he feels, but also expresses a sense of resignation and acceptance. The final lines of the song, "Ich will ja nicht klagen, / Nur immer tragen / Sollst du das Bildnis mein" (I do not want to complain, / Only always bear / My image), suggest that the singer has come to terms with his loss and is willing to let go of his love. Overall, "Verratene Liebe" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the pain and heartbreak of unrequited love. Schumann's simple and understated musical setting allows the singer's voice and the text to take center stage, creating a powerful and moving work of art.

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