Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1913 - 1914

Average_duration

:

5:00

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Anton Webern's 'Songs (3) for soprano & orchestra' is a composition that was completed in 1925. The premiere of the piece took place on February 8, 1929, in Berlin, Germany. The three movements of the piece are titled 'Heiland, unsre Missetaten', 'Das Mädchen spricht', and 'Unter den grünen Linden'. The first movement, 'Heiland, unsre Missetaten', is a setting of a hymn text by Johann Franck. The music is characterized by its sparse texture, with the soprano voice accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments. The harmonies are dissonant and the rhythms are irregular, creating a sense of tension and unease. The movement ends with a quiet, unresolved chord. The second movement, 'Das Mädchen spricht', is a setting of a poem by Stefan George. The music is more lyrical and expressive than the first movement, with the soprano voice soaring over a lush orchestral accompaniment. The harmonies are still dissonant, but they are used to create a sense of yearning and longing. The movement ends with a gentle, unresolved chord. The third movement, 'Unter den grünen Linden', is a setting of a poem by Theodor Storm. The music is characterized by its delicate, shimmering textures, with the soprano voice floating above a bed of strings and woodwinds. The harmonies are more consonant than in the previous movements, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. The movement ends with a soft, resolved chord. Overall, Webern's 'Songs (3) for soprano & orchestra' is a prime example of his unique style of composition, which emphasizes economy of means, dissonant harmonies, and irregular rhythms. Despite its brevity and sparseness, the piece is deeply expressive and emotionally powerful, showcasing Webern's mastery of the art of musical composition.

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