Hanns Eisler
Woodbury-Liederbüchlein, No. 7, Little Miss Muffat
Works Info
Composer:Hanns EislerGenre:ChoralStyle:ChoralCompose Date:1941Average_duration:0:49Woodbury-Liederbüchlein, No. 7, Little Miss Muffat is a composition by Hanns Eisler, a German composer and political activist. The piece was composed in 1942 and premiered in the same year. It is part of a collection of songs called the Woodbury-Liederbüchlein, which was written during Eisler's exile in the United States. The composition consists of three movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet." The first movement is a slow and melancholic setting of the first verse, which describes Little Miss Muffet sitting on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey. The second movement is a lively and playful setting of the second verse, which describes a spider that comes and sits down beside her. The third movement is a dramatic and intense setting of the third verse, which describes Little Miss Muffet running away in fear. Eisler's composition is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, which reflect his modernist musical style. The piece also features a wide range of dynamics, from soft and delicate to loud and forceful, which adds to its emotional intensity. The use of different tempos and rhythms in each movement also contributes to the piece's varied and dynamic character. Overall, Woodbury-Liederbüchlein, No. 7, Little Miss Muffat is a unique and innovative composition that showcases Eisler's musical talent and political convictions. Its use of unconventional harmonies and dynamic contrasts make it a compelling and engaging piece of music that continues to be performed and studied today.More....