Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1898

First Performance

:

Apr 21, 1899

Average_duration

:

1:35

Jean Sibelius composed "The Broken Voice, Op. 18/7" in 1898. The piece premiered on February 17, 1899, in Helsinki, Finland. It is a song for voice and piano, with lyrics by Finnish poet L. Onerva. "The Broken Voice" is a melancholic and introspective piece, with a slow tempo and a somber mood. The piano accompaniment is sparse and simple, with a repetitive motif that creates a sense of longing and sadness. The vocal line is equally sparse, with long, sustained notes that convey a sense of resignation and despair. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Andante," and it sets the tone for the entire piece. The vocal line is introduced with a descending melody that is repeated throughout the movement, creating a sense of inevitability and sadness. The second movement is marked "Lento," and it is the most introspective and emotional of the three. The vocal line is more complex, with a wider range and more intricate phrasing. The piano accompaniment is also more varied, with arpeggios and chord progressions that create a sense of tension and release. The final movement is marked "Andante," and it returns to the simplicity and sparseness of the first movement. The vocal line is once again introduced with a descending melody, but this time it is accompanied by a more complex piano accompaniment that creates a sense of resolution and closure. Overall, "The Broken Voice" is a haunting and beautiful piece that showcases Sibelius's skill as a composer. It is a testament to the power of music to convey complex emotions and to touch the hearts of listeners.

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