Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jul 5, 1815

Average_duration

:

1:47

Franz Schubert's "Wandrers Nachtlied, D. 224, Op. 4/3" is a Lied, or art song, composed in 1815. It premiered in Vienna in 1821, performed by the tenor Johann Michael Vogl with Schubert accompanying on the piano. The song is part of a larger collection of Lieder, known as Schubert's "Schöne Müllerin" cycle. "Wandrers Nachtlied" is divided into two stanzas, each with four lines. The text is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which describes a wanderer's peaceful and contented state of mind as he gazes up at the stars. The first stanza begins with the famous line "Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh" ("Above all peaks there is peace"), and the second stanza ends with the refrain "So ruhig und klar" ("So peaceful and clear"). Schubert's setting of the poem is characterized by its simplicity and understated beauty. The piano accompaniment is gentle and flowing, with a repeated pattern of broken chords that creates a sense of calm and serenity. The vocal melody is similarly unadorned, with a straightforward, almost hymn-like quality that emphasizes the poem's message of tranquility and contentment. Despite its simplicity, "Wandrers Nachtlied" is a masterful example of Schubert's skill as a composer of Lieder. The song's understated beauty and emotional depth have made it a beloved piece of classical music, and it remains a popular choice for singers and pianists alike.

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