Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1827

Average_duration

:

2:29

"Gefror'ne Thränen" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert as part of his song cycle "Winterreise," D. 911/3, Op. 89/3. The song cycle was composed in 1827, just a year before Schubert's death, and premiered in Vienna in 1828. "Gefror'ne Thränen" is the third song in the cycle and is set to a poem by Wilhelm Müller. The song is in the key of B minor and is marked "Langsam" (slow). It is a mournful and melancholic piece, reflecting the desolation and despair of the protagonist as he wanders through the winter landscape. The piano accompaniment is sparse and repetitive, with a simple descending motif that underscores the sense of hopelessness in the lyrics. The song is divided into three stanzas, each with a different melody. The first stanza begins with the protagonist weeping frozen tears, which symbolize his frozen heart and soul. The second stanza describes the protagonist's longing for his lost love, who has left him alone in the cold and dark. The final stanza is a plea for death, as the protagonist sees no hope for his future and wishes to escape his pain. The vocal line is characterized by long, sustained notes and a wide range of dynamics, from soft and tender to loud and anguished. Schubert's use of chromaticism and dissonance adds to the emotional intensity of the piece, creating a sense of unease and tension. Overall, "Gefror'ne Thränen" is a powerful and haunting song that captures the bleakness and despair of the winter landscape and the human heart. It is a testament to Schubert's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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