Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Collection

Compose Date

:

Mar 30, 1890

Average_duration

:

2:02

Hugo Wolf's "Ach, im Maien war's" is a song cycle from his "Spanisches Liederbuch" (Spanish Songbook), which was composed between 1889 and 1890. The premiere of the song cycle was in 1891 in Vienna, Austria. The cycle consists of 44 songs, which are divided into two volumes. "Ach, im Maien war's" is the second song in the first volume. The song cycle is based on Spanish poetry from the 16th and 17th centuries, which Wolf translated into German. The poems are love songs, and the music reflects the passionate and emotional nature of the text. "Ach, im Maien war's" is a typical example of this style, with its soaring melodies and dramatic harmonies. The song is in A minor and has a moderate tempo. It is in a simple ABA form, with the A section being the main melody and the B section providing contrast. The piano accompaniment is lush and romantic, with arpeggios and sweeping chords. The text of the song is about a lover who remembers the joys of springtime and the happiness he shared with his beloved. The first verse describes the beauty of the May season, with its flowers and birdsong. The second verse speaks of the lover's happiness with his beloved, and how they shared their love in the springtime. The final verse is a lament, as the lover realizes that his happiness is gone and he is left alone. Overall, "Ach, im Maien war's" is a beautiful and emotional song that captures the essence of the Spanish poetry that inspired it. The music is lush and romantic, and the text is full of passion and longing. It is a wonderful example of Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer and his ability to bring poetry to life through music.

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