Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Feb 27, 1815

Average_duration

:

12:00

Die Erwartung, D. 159, Op. posth. 116 is a song composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It was premiered in Vienna in 1829, four years after Schubert's death. The song is part of a collection of songs known as Schwanengesang, which was published posthumously in 1829. Die Erwartung is a single-movement song that lasts approximately six minutes. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The text of the song is a poem by Ludwig Rellstab, which tells the story of a woman waiting for her lover to return. The woman is filled with anxiety and fear as she waits for her lover, and the music reflects these emotions. The song begins with a slow and mournful introduction played by the piano. The vocal line enters with a sense of longing and sadness, as the woman expresses her fear and anxiety about her lover's absence. The music is filled with chromatic harmonies and dissonances, which create a sense of tension and unease. As the song progresses, the music becomes more agitated and intense, reflecting the woman's growing anxiety. The vocal line becomes more urgent and passionate, as the woman pleads for her lover to return. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex and dissonant, adding to the sense of tension and unease. The climax of the song comes towards the end, as the woman's anxiety reaches its peak. The music becomes frenzied and chaotic, with the vocal line soaring to its highest point. The piano accompaniment becomes more dissonant and fragmented, creating a sense of chaos and confusion. The song ends with a sense of resignation and despair, as the woman realizes that her lover is not coming back. The music becomes slow and mournful once again, with the vocal line descending to its lowest point. The piano accompaniment becomes more sparse and simple, reflecting the woman's sense of loss and emptiness. Overall, Die Erwartung is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Schubert's mastery of musical expression. The music perfectly captures the emotions of the text, creating a sense of tension, anxiety, and despair. It is a testament to Schubert's genius that he was able to create such a powerful work at such a young age.

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