Composer

:

Arnold Schoenberg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1933

Average_duration

:

6:12

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Arnold Schoenberg's 'Songs (3) for alto or bass & piano, Op. 48' is a collection of three songs composed in 1913. The songs were premiered in Vienna in 1914, with the composer himself accompanying the singer on the piano. The three movements are titled 'Der Fischer', 'Das Grab' and 'Erwartung'. The first movement, 'Der Fischer', is a setting of a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The song is in a slow tempo and is characterized by a melancholic mood. The piano accompaniment is sparse and simple, with the singer's voice carrying most of the emotional weight of the piece. The song is notable for its use of chromaticism, with Schoenberg using a wide range of dissonant harmonies to create a sense of unease and tension. The second movement, 'Das Grab', is a setting of a poem by Christian Morgenstern. The song is in a faster tempo than the first movement and is characterized by a more agitated mood. The piano accompaniment is more complex than in the first movement, with Schoenberg using a variety of rhythmic and harmonic devices to create a sense of urgency and anxiety. The singer's voice is also more virtuosic in this movement, with a number of challenging vocal lines that require a high degree of technical skill. The third movement, 'Erwartung', is a setting of a poem by Richard Dehmel. The song is in a slow tempo and is characterized by a sense of anticipation and longing. The piano accompaniment is again sparse and simple, with Schoenberg using a number of unusual harmonies to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The singer's voice is also more expressive in this movement, with a number of dramatic pauses and dynamic contrasts that add to the emotional impact of the piece. Overall, Schoenberg's 'Songs (3) for alto or bass & piano, Op. 48' is a highly expressive and emotionally charged work. The composer's use of dissonant harmonies and unusual rhythmic and harmonic devices creates a sense of tension and unease that is characteristic of his style. The songs are also notable for their virtuosic vocal lines, which require a high degree of technical skill from the singer. Despite their challenging nature, however, the songs remain highly accessible and emotionally engaging, making them a popular choice for both performers and audiences alike.

More....