Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Apr 6, 1815

Average_duration

:

2:11

"Vergebliche Liebe" is a lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It is also known as "An Silvia" and is part of his Opus posthumous 173. The song is based on a poem by William Shakespeare, translated into German by August Wilhelm Schlegel. The premiere of the song is unknown, as it was not published until after Schubert's death. The song is in A major and has a simple ABA form. The first section is in a lively and cheerful tempo, while the second section is slower and more contemplative. The third section returns to the lively tempo of the first section. The piano accompaniment is light and playful, with a repeated pattern of arpeggios and chords. The lyrics of the song describe the speaker's unrequited love for a woman named Silvia. The speaker compares his love to a bird that sings in vain, as Silvia does not return his affections. The second section of the song reflects on the speaker's sadness and longing, while the third section returns to the theme of the unrequited love. "Vergebliche Liebe" is a prime example of Schubert's ability to set poetry to music. The song captures the emotions of the speaker and the imagery of the poem through its melody and accompaniment. The light and playful piano accompaniment contrasts with the melancholy lyrics, creating a bittersweet mood. The song has become a popular piece in the lieder repertoire and is often performed in recitals and concerts.

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