Composer

:

Alexander von Zemlinsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1895 - 1896

Average_duration

:

1:41

'Vor der Stadt, Vol. 1, Op. 2/5' is a song composed by Alexander von Zemlinsky, a prominent Austrian composer and conductor of the early 20th century. The song was composed in 1896 and premiered in Vienna in the same year. It is part of a collection of five songs titled 'Vor der Stadt' (Before the City), which were inspired by poems of the same name by the German poet Richard Dehmel. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment and is in the key of F minor. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a haunting melody that reflects the somber mood of the poem. The song is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section begins with a slow and mournful introduction played by the piano. The singer then enters with the first verse, which describes a desolate landscape outside the city walls. The music is sparse and understated, with the piano providing a simple accompaniment to the singer's mournful melody. The second section is more agitated and intense, with the singer describing the sounds of the city that can be heard from outside the walls. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex and dissonant, reflecting the chaotic and frenzied atmosphere of the city. The final section returns to the mournful mood of the opening, with the singer lamenting the fact that they are unable to enter the city and be a part of its life. The piano accompaniment becomes more subdued, with a gentle and melancholic melody that fades away to nothing at the end of the song. Overall, 'Vor der Stadt, Vol. 1, Op. 2/5' is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the mood and atmosphere of Dehmel's poem. Zemlinsky's use of melody, harmony, and rhythm creates a haunting and memorable piece that is still performed and admired today.

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