Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Apr 23, 1896

Average_duration

:

1:05

Schweig einmal still (Italienisches Liederbuch) is a song cycle composed by Hugo Wolf. The cycle was composed between 1890 and 1891 and premiered in Vienna in 1892. The cycle consists of 46 songs, which are divided into two books. The first book contains 22 songs, while the second book contains 24 songs. The songs in Schweig einmal still (Italienisches Liederbuch) are based on Italian poems from the 16th and 17th centuries. The poems were selected by Wolf and his friend, the poet Paul Heyse. The poems deal with themes such as love, betrayal, and death. The cycle is characterized by its use of chromaticism and dissonance. Wolf uses these techniques to create a sense of tension and unease in the music. The songs are also characterized by their use of word painting. Wolf uses the music to reflect the meaning of the words in the poems. The cycle is divided into several movements, each of which contains several songs. The first movement, "In der Frühe," contains six songs that deal with the theme of love. The second movement, "Liebesglück," contains seven songs that deal with the theme of happiness in love. The third movement, "Liebesleid," contains six songs that deal with the theme of betrayal in love. The fourth movement, "Amor und Psyche," contains six songs that deal with the theme of the mythological figures Amor and Psyche. The fifth movement, "Grablied," contains four songs that deal with the theme of death. Overall, Schweig einmal still (Italienisches Liederbuch) is a complex and emotionally charged song cycle. It is a testament to Wolf's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that reflects the meaning of the words in the poems. The cycle remains a popular and important work in the repertoire of classical vocal music.

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