Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Oct 23, 1815

Average_duration

:

4:53

Mignon, D. 321 is a song composed by Franz Schubert in 1826. It is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which tells the story of Mignon, a young girl who has been taken from her homeland and forced to work as a servant. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The premiere of Mignon, D. 321 is not well-documented, but it is likely that it was first performed in a private setting, as was common for Schubert's works during his lifetime. The song is part of a larger collection of songs known as Schwanengesang, which was published posthumously in 1829. Mignon, D. 321 is a single-movement song, with a duration of approximately three minutes. The song is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood, which is conveyed through Schubert's use of minor keys and chromatic harmonies. The piano accompaniment is sparse and understated, allowing the vocal line to take center stage. The song is divided into three sections, each of which corresponds to a different stanza of Goethe's poem. The first section begins with a slow and mournful introduction, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The vocal line enters with the first stanza of the poem, which describes Mignon's longing for her homeland. The second section is more agitated and intense, reflecting Mignon's feelings of despair and hopelessness. The final section returns to the melancholic mood of the opening, with the vocal line descending into a low register as Mignon expresses her desire for death. Overall, Mignon, D. 321 is a poignant and deeply emotional song that showcases Schubert's skill as a composer of lieder. The song has been performed and recorded by many notable singers, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Ian Bostridge.

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