Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1860

Average_duration

:

3:16

"Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang" (A full harp sound resounds) is a lied composed by Johannes Brahms in 1862, with lyrics by Johann Ludwig Uhland. It is the first of five songs in Brahms' Op. 17, which were all composed in the same year. The song premiered on November 22, 1862, in Vienna, with Brahms himself accompanying the singer, Julius Stockhausen. It was well-received by the audience and critics alike, and it quickly became one of Brahms' most popular songs. "Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang" is a strophic song, with each verse set to the same music. The piano accompaniment is rich and full, imitating the sound of a harp. The melody is lyrical and flowing, with a sense of yearning and longing. The song's text is a romantic poem by Uhland, which tells the story of a young woman who hears the sound of a harp and is transported to a magical world of love and beauty. The harp represents the voice of her lover, who is far away but still present in her thoughts and dreams. The first verse sets the scene: Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang Durch Feld und grünen Wald, Ein Jüngling zieht mit leisem Gang Wohl über Berg und Tal. (A full harp sound resounds Through field and green forest, A young man walks with quiet steps Over mountain and valley.) The second verse describes the woman's reaction to the sound of the harp: Da schlägt mein Herz, ich lausche bang, Und ach, mir ist so weh; Doch ist's, als ob der Harfenklang Mir eine Sprache spräch'. (My heart beats, I listen anxiously, And oh, I am so sad; But it is as if the harp sound Speaks a language to me.) The third verse reveals the woman's longing for her absent lover: O Jüngling, fern von mir so weit, Wie kann ich bei dir sein? O wär' ich doch ein Vöglein weit, Ich flög' zu dir hinein! (O young man, so far away from me, How can I be with you? Oh, if only I were a bird far away, I would fly to you.) The final verse brings the song to a close: Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang Durch Feld und grünen Wald, Der Jüngling zieht mit leisem Gang Wohl über Berg und Tal. (A full harp sound resounds Through field and green forest, The young man walks with quiet steps Over mountain and valley.) "Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang" is a beautiful and evocative song, with a timeless quality that continues to captivate audiences today. Its rich harmonies and expressive melody make it a favorite of singers and pianists alike, and its romantic themes resonate with listeners of all ages.

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