Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1846

Average_duration

:

14:13

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Robert Schumann's 'Part songs (5), Op. 55' is a collection of five choral pieces composed in 1847. The premiere of the work took place in Leipzig on December 5, 1847, with the composer himself conducting the performance. The five movements of the work are titled "An die Sterne" (To the Stars), "Die Fensterscheibe" (The Windowpane), "Gebet" (Prayer), "Abendlied" (Evening Song), and "Nachthymne" (Night Hymn). The first movement, "An die Sterne," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Rückert. The piece begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the lower voices, which is then taken up by the sopranos. The music builds to a climax before subsiding into a peaceful conclusion. The second movement, "Die Fensterscheibe," is a setting of a poem by Heinrich Heine. The music is more lively and playful than the previous movement, with a jaunty melody in the upper voices and a rhythmic accompaniment in the lower voices. The piece ends with a sudden, unexpected chord. The third movement, "Gebet," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Rückert. The music is slow and contemplative, with a simple melody in the sopranos and a rich harmonic accompaniment. The piece builds to a powerful climax before fading away to a peaceful conclusion. The fourth movement, "Abendlied," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Rückert. The music is gentle and serene, with a flowing melody in the sopranos and a delicate accompaniment in the lower voices. The piece ends with a quiet, peaceful chord. The final movement, "Nachthymne," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Hebbel. The music is dark and mysterious, with a haunting melody in the lower voices and a dissonant accompaniment in the upper voices. The piece builds to a powerful climax before ending with a quiet, eerie chord. Overall, Schumann's 'Part songs (5), Op. 55' is a beautiful and varied collection of choral pieces, showcasing the composer's skill in setting poetry to music and his ability to create a wide range of moods and emotions through his music.

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