Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1828

Average_duration

:

5:16

"Kriegers Ahnung" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1828, as part of his song cycle "Schwanengesang" (Swan Song). The song was premiered posthumously in 1829, after Schubert's death. The song is divided into two stanzas, each with four lines, and is set to a poem by Ludwig Rellstab. The poem tells the story of a soldier who is walking through a forest and suddenly has a premonition of his own death. He sees a white dove, which he interprets as a symbol of his soul leaving his body. The soldier then reflects on his life and wonders if he will be remembered after he dies. The first stanza is set in a minor key, which creates a sense of foreboding and unease. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a descending motif that emphasizes the soldier's descent into darkness. The second stanza is set in a major key, which creates a sense of hope and lightness. The melody is more complex and varied, with a rising motif that emphasizes the soldier's ascent into the afterlife. One of the most striking characteristics of "Kriegers Ahnung" is its use of word painting. Schubert uses the music to illustrate the imagery in the poem, such as the fluttering of the dove's wings and the soldier's footsteps in the forest. He also uses the music to convey the soldier's emotions, such as his fear and his longing for immortality. Overall, "Kriegers Ahnung" is a haunting and poignant song that captures the fragility of life and the human desire for transcendence. It is a testament to Schubert's skill as a composer and his ability to express complex emotions through music.

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