Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Apr 13, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:38

Hugo Wolf's "Gesegnet sei das Grün (Italienisches Liederbuch)" is a song cycle composed between 1890 and 1891. The premiere of the cycle took place in Vienna in 1892. The cycle consists of 46 songs, which are divided into two volumes. The first volume contains 22 songs, while the second volume contains 24 songs. The songs in "Gesegnet sei das Grün" are based on Italian poems from the 16th and 17th centuries. The poems were selected and translated by Paul Heyse, a German writer and translator. The poems deal with themes such as love, nature, and the passing of time. The cycle is characterized by Wolf's use of chromaticism and his ability to capture the emotional content of the poems. The songs are often short and concise, with a simple and direct musical language. Wolf's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies creates a sense of tension and unease, which reflects the emotional content of the poems. The first volume of the cycle begins with the song "Auch kleine Dinge können uns entzücken" (Even small things can delight us), which sets the tone for the cycle. The song is a celebration of the simple pleasures of life, such as the beauty of nature and the love of a partner. Other notable songs in the first volume include "Wie lange schon war immer mein Verlangen" (How long has my desire been), which expresses the longing for a loved one, and "Ich hab' in Penna einen Liebsten wohnen" (I have a lover living in Penna), which tells the story of a woman waiting for her lover to return. The second volume of the cycle begins with the song "Gesegnet sei das Grün" (Blessed be the green), which gives the cycle its title. The song is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the natural world. Other notable songs in the second volume include "Mir ward gesagt, du reisest in die Ferne" (I was told you were traveling far away), which expresses the pain of separation from a loved one, and "Ein Ständchen Euch zu bringen herzlich ergeben" (To bring you a serenade, devotedly), which is a playful and lighthearted love song. Overall, "Gesegnet sei das Grün" is a masterful example of Hugo Wolf's ability to capture the emotional content of poetry through music. The cycle is a testament to Wolf's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and emotionally powerful.

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