Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1808

Average_duration

:

4:36

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Sehnsucht, WoO 134 is a set of four songs composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. The songs were composed in 1815 and were premiered in Vienna in the same year. The four songs are set to poems by various poets, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich von Matthisson. The first song, "Sehnsucht," is set to a poem by Matthisson. The song is in the key of C minor and is marked "Adagio molto espressivo." The song is characterized by its melancholic melody and the use of chromaticism. The lyrics speak of a longing for a distant love and the pain that comes with that longing. The second song, "Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend," is set to a poem by Goethe. The song is in the key of A major and is marked "Andante con moto." The song is characterized by its flowing melody and the use of arpeggios in the accompaniment. The lyrics speak of a person sitting on a hill, looking out over the landscape and contemplating the beauty of nature. The third song, "Leichte Segler in den Höhen," is also set to a poem by Goethe. The song is in the key of E-flat major and is marked "Allegro ma non troppo." The song is characterized by its lively melody and the use of syncopation in the accompaniment. The lyrics speak of sailors sailing high above the clouds and the freedom that comes with that experience. The fourth and final song, "Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au," is set to a poem by Matthisson. The song is in the key of G major and is marked "Allegro moderato." The song is characterized by its joyful melody and the use of staccato in the accompaniment. The lyrics speak of the arrival of spring and the beauty of nature that comes with it. Overall, Sehnsucht, WoO 134 is a set of four songs that showcase Beethoven's ability to set poetry to music. The songs are characterized by their expressive melodies, use of chromaticism and syncopation, and their ability to capture the emotions and themes of the poems they are set to.

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