Composer

:

Robert Franz

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

2:16

"Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome" (In the Rhine, in the holy stream) is a Lied composed by Robert Franz in 1858. It is the second of six songs in his Opus 18, which is a collection of songs based on poems by Heinrich Heine. The song premiered in 1858 and quickly became one of Franz's most popular works. It is a setting of Heine's poem of the same name, which describes the beauty and majesty of the Rhine River. The poem is full of vivid imagery, and Franz's music captures the mood and tone of the text perfectly. The song is in three movements, with the first and third being in a slow, contemplative tempo, while the second is more lively and energetic. The first movement begins with a gentle, flowing melody that evokes the peacefulness of the river. The second movement is more upbeat, with a lively rhythm and a sense of joy and celebration. The final movement returns to the slower tempo of the first, with a haunting melody that captures the melancholy of the poem's final lines. One of the most striking characteristics of "Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome" is its use of chromaticism. Franz employs a number of chromatic harmonies and melodic lines throughout the song, which give it a sense of richness and complexity. The song also features a number of dynamic contrasts, with sudden shifts from soft to loud and back again. Overall, "Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome" is a beautiful and evocative song that captures the spirit of Heine's poem. Its popularity has endured over the years, and it remains a beloved work in the Lieder repertoire.

More....