Composer

:

Hans Pfitzner

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1907

Average_duration

:

6:19

Hans Pfitzner's 'Lieder (2), Op.21' is a song cycle composed in 1905. The premiere of the work took place in Munich in the same year. The cycle consists of two movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, 'Waldseligkeit' (Forest Bliss), is a setting of a poem by Richard Dehmel. The song is characterized by its lush harmonies and sweeping melodies, which evoke the peacefulness and beauty of the forest. Pfitzner's use of chromaticism and rich textures creates a sense of mystery and enchantment, perfectly capturing the mood of the poem. The second movement, 'Nachtwandler' (Sleepwalker), is a setting of a poem by Otto Julius Bierbaum. This song is much darker in tone than the first, with a haunting melody and sparse accompaniment. Pfitzner's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies creates a sense of unease and tension, perfectly capturing the mood of the poem, which describes a sleepwalker wandering through a dark and dangerous landscape. Overall, Pfitzner's 'Lieder (2), Op.21' is a masterful example of the art song genre. The composer's use of rich harmonies, sweeping melodies, and unconventional harmonies creates a sense of depth and complexity that perfectly captures the mood and meaning of the poems. The cycle remains a popular and frequently performed work in the art song repertoire.

More....