Composer

:

Heinrich Werner

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:18

Heinrich Werner's "Sah ein Knab ein Röslein stehn" is a German art song, or Lied, composed in the Romantic era. The song was composed in 1827 and premiered in Leipzig, Germany. It is a part of Werner's collection of Lieder titled "Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte." The song is set in a simple strophic form, with the same melody repeated for each verse. The piano accompaniment is also simple, with a gentle arpeggio pattern that supports the vocal line. The vocal melody is lyrical and flowing, with a range that is well-suited to a tenor or baritone voice. The text of the song is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which tells the story of a boy who sees a rose standing alone in a field. He plucks the rose, but is pricked by a thorn and begins to bleed. The boy then realizes that the beauty of the rose is not worth the pain it causes. The song is characterized by its simplicity and elegance. The melody and accompaniment are both understated, allowing the beauty of the text to shine through. The song is also notable for its use of word painting, with the piano accompaniment mimicking the plucking of the rose and the pain of the thorn. Overall, "Sah ein Knab ein Röslein stehn" is a beautiful example of the German Lied tradition, and a testament to the enduring power of Goethe's poetry.

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