Composer

:

Alexander von Zemlinsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1934

Average_duration

:

3:21

"Das bucklichte Männlein, Op. 22/6" is a song composed by Alexander von Zemlinsky in 1913. It was premiered in Vienna on January 22, 1914, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer, Richard Mayr. The song is part of a collection of six songs, collectively known as "Walzer-Gesänge," which were composed between 1910 and 1913. The song is based on a poem by the German poet, Richard Dehmel, and tells the story of a hunchbacked man who is rejected by society because of his physical appearance. The man is portrayed as a lonely figure who is forced to live a life of isolation and despair. The music reflects the melancholic and somber mood of the poem, with its slow and mournful melody. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow) and sets the mood for the entire piece. The piano plays a simple, repetitive melody while the singer introduces the character of the hunchbacked man. The second movement is marked "Etwas bewegter" (somewhat faster) and introduces a more complex melody. The piano and the singer engage in a dialogue, with the piano playing a more prominent role. The final movement is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow) and returns to the somber mood of the first movement. The piano and the singer come together in a final, mournful duet. The song is characterized by its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which reflect the emotional turmoil of the hunchbacked man. The melody is simple and repetitive, with the piano playing a prominent role in setting the mood. The song is also notable for its use of dynamics, with the singer alternating between soft, mournful passages and more forceful, dramatic sections. Overall, "Das bucklichte Männlein, Op. 22/6" is a haunting and melancholic song that reflects the emotional struggles of a lonely and isolated figure. Zemlinsky's use of chromaticism and dissonance, combined with the simple, repetitive melody, creates a powerful and emotional piece of music.

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