Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

2:28

"Seit ich ihn gesehen" is the first song in Robert Schumann's song cycle "Frauenliebe und Leben," Op. 42. The cycle was composed in 1840, a year of great productivity for Schumann, and was premiered in Leipzig on December 15, 1840. The text for the song cycle was written by Adelbert von Chamisso and tells the story of a woman's love and life, from her first meeting with her beloved to his death and her eventual acceptance of her loss. "Seit ich ihn gesehen" is a simple and tender song, with a flowing melody that captures the narrator's joy and wonder at the sight of her beloved. The song is in A-flat major and is marked "innig" (intimate) and "sehr langsam" (very slow). The piano accompaniment is delicate and supportive, with arpeggiated chords and gentle rhythms that create a sense of anticipation and longing. The song is in strophic form, with each verse set to the same melody and accompaniment. The text describes the narrator's first encounter with her beloved, and her immediate and overwhelming attraction to him. The melody rises and falls with the narrator's emotions, with a rising phrase on the word "gesehen" (seen) that captures her excitement and a descending phrase on the word "Herz" (heart) that conveys her vulnerability and openness. Overall, "Seit ich ihn gesehen" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. Schumann's gift for melody and his ability to capture the nuances of human emotion are on full display, and the song remains a beloved and enduring part of the art song repertoire.

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