Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

May 1878

Average_duration

:

3:08

Hugo Wolf's 'Über Nacht' is a song cycle composed in 1888, with a premiere in Vienna in the same year. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by Eduard Mörike. The songs are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of text painting. The first song, 'Der Genesene an die Hoffnung' (The Convalescent to Hope), is a hopeful and optimistic piece that celebrates the return of health and vitality. The second song, 'Denk es, o Seele!' (Think, O Soul!), is a contemplative and introspective piece that explores the nature of the human soul and its relationship to the divine. The third song, 'Auf einer Wanderung' (On a Hike), is a lively and energetic piece that captures the joy and excitement of a hike through the countryside. The fourth song, 'Erstes Liebeslied eines Mädchens' (First Love Song of a Girl), is a tender and romantic piece that expresses the feelings of a young girl experiencing love for the first time. The fifth song, 'Nimmersatte Liebe' (Insatiable Love), is a passionate and intense piece that explores the destructive power of love. The final song, 'Storchenbotschaft' (Stork's Message), is a whimsical and playful piece that tells the story of a stork delivering a message of love. Overall, 'Über Nacht' is a masterful example of Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer of lieder. The cycle showcases his ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of Mörike's poetry through his use of melody, harmony, and text painting. The songs are a testament to the enduring power of the art song tradition and continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences alike.

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