Composer

:

Nadia Boulanger

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1908

Average_duration

:

2:32

"Was will die einsame Thräne?" is a Lied composed by Nadia Boulanger in 1914. The piece was premiered in Paris in the same year. The Lied is a part of a larger song cycle titled "Clairières dans le ciel" (Clearings in the Sky), which consists of 13 songs. The lyrics of the song were written by Paul Verlaine, a French poet. The Lied is in the key of F-sharp minor and has a slow tempo. It is a solo vocal piece accompanied by piano. The song has a melancholic and introspective character, which is typical of Verlaine's poetry. The text describes a solitary tear that falls from the eyes of the poet and asks what it wants. The tear is a symbol of the poet's innermost feelings and emotions. The Lied is divided into three sections, each with a different character. The first section is slow and mournful, with a descending melody that reflects the falling tear. The second section is more agitated and intense, with a rising melody that expresses the poet's inner turmoil. The final section returns to the slow and mournful character of the opening, with a descending melody that brings the piece to a peaceful conclusion. Boulanger's setting of Verlaine's text is sensitive and expressive, capturing the emotional depth of the poem. The piano accompaniment is sparse and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The Lied is a beautiful example of Boulanger's skill as a composer and her ability to capture the essence of a text in music.

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