Composer

:

Carl Friedrich Zelter

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

2:25

"Klage" (Lament) is a lied composed by Carl Friedrich Zelter in 1815. It is the third and final song in his "Harfenspieler" (Harpist) cycle, which consists of settings of poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The song was premiered in Berlin in 1816. The song is in A minor and has a slow, mournful tempo. It is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked "sehr langsam" (very slow) and features a simple, repetitive melody in the harp accompaniment. The singer enters with a plaintive melody that rises and falls in a series of sighs. The second section is marked "etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and features a more complex melody in the harp accompaniment. The singer's melody becomes more agitated and passionate, with frequent leaps and sudden changes in dynamics. The final section returns to the slow tempo of the opening, with the singer's melody becoming more subdued and resigned. The text of the song is a lament for lost love. The speaker addresses his harp, asking it to accompany him in his sorrow. He describes his pain in vivid, poetic language, comparing his heart to a withered flower and his tears to a river. He longs for the return of his beloved, but knows that she is gone forever. Overall, "Klage" is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Zelter's skill as a composer and his sensitivity to Goethe's poetry. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics have made it a favorite of singers and audiences alike.

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