Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Dec 16, 1891

Average_duration

:

2:17

Hugo Wolf's "Wir haben beide lange Zeit geschwiegen (Italienisches Liederbuch)" is a song cycle composed between 1890 and 1891. The premiere of the cycle took place in Vienna in 1892. The cycle consists of 46 songs, which are divided into two volumes. The first volume contains 22 songs, while the second volume contains 24 songs. The cycle is based on a collection of Italian poems translated into German by Paul Heyse. The poems are love songs, and the cycle explores the various stages of love, from the initial attraction to the pain of separation. The songs are arranged in a narrative sequence, with each song building on the emotions and themes of the previous one. The cycle is characterized by Wolf's use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease. The songs are also notable for their use of word painting, with the music reflecting the emotions and imagery of the text. The cycle is also notable for its use of recurring motifs, which create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the work. The first volume of the cycle begins with the song "Auch kleine Dinge können uns entzücken" (Even small things can delight us), which sets the tone for the cycle with its joyful and playful melody. The cycle then moves through various stages of love, including the initial attraction ("Du denkst mit einem Fädchen mich zu fangen"), the joy of being in love ("Wie lange schon war immer mein Verlangen"), and the pain of separation ("Und steht Ihr früh am Morgen auf"). The second volume of the cycle continues the exploration of love, with songs that explore the pain of unrequited love ("Nun lass uns Frieden schließen"), the joy of being reunited with a loved one ("Wie soll ich meine Seele halten"), and the pain of losing a loved one ("Sterb' ich, so hüllt in Blumen meine Glieder"). Overall, "Wir haben beide lange Zeit geschwiegen (Italienisches Liederbuch)" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love, with Wolf's music capturing the emotional depth and nuance of the poems. The cycle remains a beloved work in the classical music canon, and continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

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