Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

May 1878

Average_duration

:

2:24

Hugo Wolf's "Sie haben heut' abend Gesellschaft" is a song cycle composed in 1896. The premiere of the work took place on January 26, 1897, in Vienna. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by the German poet Paul Heyse. The first movement, "Gesang Weylas," is a melancholic and introspective piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "Die Bekehrte," is a lively and playful piece that contrasts with the first movement. The third movement, "Nimmersatte Liebe," is a passionate and intense piece that explores the theme of unrequited love. The fourth movement, "Anakreons Grab," is a somber and reflective piece that contemplates the fleeting nature of life. The fifth movement, "Der Rattenfänger," is a humorous and satirical piece that tells the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The final movement, "Epilog," is a poignant and introspective piece that brings the cycle to a close. The characteristics of "Sie haben heut' abend Gesellschaft" are typical of Wolf's style, which is characterized by its sensitivity to the text and its use of chromatic harmony. Wolf's music is known for its emotional intensity and its ability to capture the nuances of human experience. Overall, "Sie haben heut' abend Gesellschaft" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Wolf's mastery of the art song genre. Its six movements explore a range of emotions and themes, from love and loss to humor and satire, and demonstrate Wolf's ability to create music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

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