Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1891 - 1896

Average_duration

:

75:42

Movement_count

:

46

Movement ....

Hugo Wolf's "Italienisches Liederbuch" is a collection of 46 songs for voice and piano, composed between 1890 and 1896. The songs are based on Italian poems from various sources, including anonymous folk songs, medieval lyrics, and works by well-known poets such as Petrarch and Dante. The premiere of the work took place in Vienna in 1892. The songs are divided into two volumes, with the first volume consisting of 22 songs and the second volume consisting of 24 songs. The songs are not arranged in any particular order, but rather are grouped together thematically. The themes of the songs include love, longing, betrayal, and death. The songs are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of text. Wolf's music is highly sensitive to the nuances of the poetry, and he uses a variety of musical techniques to bring out the meaning of the words. For example, in the song "Auch kleine Dinge," Wolf uses a simple, folk-like melody to convey the humble nature of the poem's subject matter. The songs are also notable for their use of chromaticism and dissonance, which give them a modernist edge. Wolf was known for his innovative approach to harmony, and he often used unconventional chord progressions and tonal relationships to create a sense of tension and ambiguity. Overall, "Italienisches Liederbuch" is a masterful collection of songs that showcases Wolf's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of poetry. The work remains a popular choice for singers and pianists today, and it is considered one of the most important song cycles of the late Romantic period.

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