Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1860

Average_duration

:

6:37

Johannes Brahms composed "Gesang aus Fingal, Op. 17/4" in 1863. The piece was premiered in Leipzig on January 1, 1864, with Brahms himself conducting. The work is part of a collection of five songs for mixed choir and orchestra, collectively known as "Fünf Gesänge, Op. 17." "Gesang aus Fingal" is the fourth song in the collection and is based on a text by the German poet Johann Gottfried Herder. The text is a German translation of a Gaelic poem from the Ossian cycle, which tells the story of the warrior Fingal and his battles against the Norsemen. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being fast and lively, while the second movement is slower and more contemplative. The first movement begins with a fanfare-like introduction from the orchestra, which is then joined by the choir singing the opening lines of the poem. The music is energetic and rhythmic, with frequent changes in tempo and dynamics. The second movement is a stark contrast to the first, with a more subdued and introspective mood. The choir sings a mournful melody, accompanied by a simple and sparse orchestration. The movement builds to a climax before fading away into a quiet and reflective ending. The final movement returns to the energetic and lively mood of the first, with the choir and orchestra trading off musical phrases. The music is full of energy and excitement, with a triumphant ending that brings the piece to a close. Overall, "Gesang aus Fingal" is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Brahms' skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of contrasting moods and textures, as well as its complex and dynamic orchestration.

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