Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Jun 1803

Average_duration

:

3:38

'Antwort auf die Frage eines Mädchens' (Answer to a Girl's Question) is a vocal work composed by Franz Joseph Haydn. The piece was composed in 1785 and premiered in Vienna the same year. It is also known as H. 26a/46 in the Hoboken catalogue. The work consists of a single movement and is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The text is a poem by Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim, which asks a question about love and its nature. Haydn's response to the question is conveyed through the music, which is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The piece begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the vocal entry. The melody is simple and unadorned, allowing the words to take center stage. The vocal line is characterized by its clarity and purity, with Haydn using a range of dynamics and phrasing to convey the meaning of the text. The piano accompaniment is also simple and understated, providing a gentle support for the voice. The harmonies are straightforward, with Haydn using a limited range of chords to create a sense of intimacy and warmth. As the piece progresses, the vocal line becomes more expressive, with Haydn using a range of vocal techniques to convey the emotion of the text. The climax of the piece is reached with the words "Liebe ist die zarte Blüte" (Love is the tender blossom), which are sung with great intensity and feeling. Overall, 'Antwort auf die Frage eines Mädchens' is a beautiful and intimate work, which showcases Haydn's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its simplicity and directness make it a timeless piece, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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