Composer

:

Viktor Ullmann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

2:11

'Wenn je ein Schönes, Op. 18/4' is a song composed by Viktor Ullmann in 1937. The song was premiered in Prague in 1938. It is a part of the song cycle 'Liebeslieder' (Love Songs) which consists of six songs. The song is written for a solo voice and piano. The song has a slow and melancholic tempo. It is in the key of F minor and has a time signature of 4/4. The song has a simple and repetitive melody that is accompanied by a flowing piano accompaniment. The vocal line is expressive and emotional, with a range of dynamics and phrasing that convey the sadness and longing of the lyrics. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement is slow and introspective, with the singer expressing their longing for something beautiful. The second movement is more agitated and urgent, with the singer pleading for the object of their desire to come to them. The final movement returns to the slow and melancholic mood of the beginning, with the singer lamenting the fact that they will never have what they desire. The lyrics of the song are in German and were written by the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The poem is a reflection on the nature of beauty and the human desire to possess it. The lyrics are full of imagery and metaphors, with the singer comparing the object of their desire to a flower, a star, and a bird. Overall, 'Wenn je ein Schönes, Op. 18/4' is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Ullmann's skill as a composer. The song is a testament to the power of music to convey complex emotions and ideas, and it remains a beloved piece in the repertoire of classical vocal music.

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