Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1823

Average_duration

:

4:15

"Der Müller und der Bach" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1823 as part of his song cycle "Die schöne Müllerin," D. 795/Op. 25. The song cycle is based on a collection of poems by Wilhelm Müller, and "Der Müller und der Bach" is the nineteenth of the twenty songs in the cycle. The song tells the story of a miller who is in love with a young woman, but she does not return his affections. The miller becomes despondent and decides to end his life by drowning himself in the nearby stream. As he approaches the stream, he hears the voice of the brook, which speaks to him and tries to dissuade him from his plan. The brook tells the miller that it has seen many people come and go, and that life is fleeting and precious. The miller is moved by the brook's words and decides to live. The song is composed in the key of G major and is in 3/4 time. It is divided into three sections, each with a different tempo and mood. The first section is marked "Andante molto," and is slow and mournful. The second section is marked "Allegretto," and is faster and more hopeful. The final section is marked "Andante," and returns to the slower, more contemplative mood of the opening. The piano accompaniment is an important part of the song, and Schubert uses it to create the sound of the brook. The left hand of the piano plays a repeating pattern of notes that imitates the sound of water flowing, while the right hand plays a melody that represents the voice of the brook. Overall, "Der Müller und der Bach" is a powerful and emotional song that explores themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. Schubert's use of music to create the sound of the brook is particularly effective, and the song is considered one of the highlights of the "Die schöne Müllerin" song cycle.

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