Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 24, 1888

Average_duration

:

3:21

Hugo Wolf's 'Das verlassene Mägdlein' is a song from his collection of Mörike Lieder, composed between 1888 and 1889. The song was premiered in 1891 in Vienna, Austria. The song is a setting of Eduard Mörike's poem of the same name, which tells the story of a young maid who has been abandoned by her lover. The song is in the key of E minor and is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The song is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement begins with a mournful piano introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer enters with a plaintive melody that expresses the maid's sorrow and despair. The piano accompaniment is sparse and melancholic, adding to the overall sense of sadness and loss. The second movement is more agitated and intense, as the maid expresses her anger and frustration at being abandoned. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex and dissonant, reflecting the maid's emotional turmoil. The singer's voice rises and falls dramatically, conveying the intensity of her emotions. The final movement returns to the mournful tone of the first, as the maid resigns herself to her fate. The piano accompaniment is once again sparse and melancholic, and the singer's voice becomes softer and more subdued. The song ends on a quiet, mournful note, leaving the listener with a sense of sadness and loss. Overall, 'Das verlassene Mägdlein' is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. The song's use of contrasting movements and complex piano accompaniment adds depth and complexity to the simple yet poignant text.

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