Composer

:

Alfred Schnittke

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1980 - 1981

Average_duration

:

16:52

"Minnesang" is a composition for mixed choir and orchestra by the Russian composer Alfred Schnittke. It was composed in 1981 and premiered on May 28, 1982, in Moscow, conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a medieval German love poem, or "Minnesang." The first movement, "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" ("I am lost to the world"), is based on a poem by the 19th-century Austrian poet Friedrich Rückert, which was itself inspired by a poem by the medieval German poet Heinrich von Morungen. The second movement, "Es sungen drei Engel" ("Three angels were singing"), is based on a 15th-century German folk song. The third movement, "In einem kühlen Grunde" ("In a cool valley"), is based on a 19th-century German folk song. Schnittke's "Minnesang" is characterized by its use of polyphony and dissonance. The choir and orchestra often sing and play different melodies simultaneously, creating a complex and sometimes chaotic texture. The dissonances are often harsh and jarring, adding to the sense of tension and unease in the music. Despite its modernist tendencies, "Minnesang" also incorporates elements of traditional tonality and melody. The folk songs on which the second and third movements are based are recognizable to many listeners, and Schnittke's treatment of them is often nostalgic and sentimental. Overall, "Minnesang" is a challenging and complex work that combines elements of modernism and tradition to create a unique and powerful musical experience.

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