Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1877

Average_duration

:

2:17

"Die Drossel" is a song composed by Richard Strauss in 1899. It was premiered on December 3, 1899, in Berlin, with the composer himself at the piano and the tenor Heinrich Vogl singing. The song is part of a collection of six songs for voice and piano, Op. 19, which Strauss composed between 1894 and 1899. "Die Drossel" is the fourth song in the Op. 19 cycle and is based on a poem by the German poet Karl Stieler. The poem tells the story of a thrush that sings in the garden, attracting the attention of a young woman who listens to its song and falls in love with the bird. The thrush becomes a symbol of the woman's longing for love and freedom. The song is in A-flat major and has a simple, lyrical melody that reflects the beauty and simplicity of the thrush's song. The piano accompaniment is delicate and evocative, with arpeggios and trills that suggest the fluttering of the bird's wings. The vocal line is expressive and emotional, with long, sustained notes that convey the woman's longing and passion. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different mood and tempo. The first section is slow and introspective, with the woman listening to the thrush's song and reflecting on her own feelings. The second section is faster and more passionate, with the woman expressing her love for the bird and her desire to be free like it. The final section returns to the slower tempo of the beginning, with the woman realizing that her love for the thrush is unattainable and that she must accept her fate. Overall, "Die Drossel" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of the Romantic era. Its simple melody and expressive lyrics make it a favorite of singers and audiences alike, and it remains a popular choice for recitals and concerts.

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