Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

2:23

"Waldesgespräch, Op. 39/3" is a song composed by Robert Schumann in 1840. It is part of his song cycle "Liederkreis, Op. 39," which consists of twelve songs set to poems by Joseph von Eichendorff. The premiere of the song cycle took place on December 1, 1840, in Leipzig, with Schumann's wife, Clara, as the pianist. "Waldesgespräch" is the third song in the cycle and is set to a poem that tells the story of a conversation between a knight and a sorceress in a forest. The song is in the key of A minor and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). It is divided into three sections, each with a different character and tempo. The first section begins with a haunting piano introduction that sets the mood for the eerie forest setting. The knight enters and sings of his love for a lady who is unattainable. The sorceress then appears and offers to help the knight win his lady's love. The music becomes more agitated as the sorceress reveals her true nature and the knight realizes he is in danger. The second section is marked "Immer langsamer" (slower and slower) and is a dialogue between the knight and the sorceress. The music is full of chromaticism and dissonance, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The sorceress tries to seduce the knight with promises of power and wealth, but he resists her advances. The final section is marked "Bewegter" (more animated) and is a battle between the knight and the sorceress. The music is fast and furious, with the piano imitating the sounds of swords clashing. The knight emerges victorious and the sorceress disappears. The music returns to the slow, haunting theme of the opening, as the knight reflects on his experience in the forest. Overall, "Waldesgespräch" is a powerful and dramatic song that showcases Schumann's skill at setting poetry to music. The use of different tempos and characters creates a sense of narrative and drama, while the chromaticism and dissonance add to the eerie atmosphere of the forest setting.

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