Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1816

Average_duration

:

2:03

"An den Schlaf" (To Sleep) is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1816. It was premiered in Vienna in 1821. The song is set to a poem by Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter, which speaks of the speaker's desire for sleep to bring him peace and rest from the troubles of the day. The song is in the key of C major and is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It consists of three stanzas, each with its own melody and character. The first stanza is marked "Andante con moto" and is characterized by a gentle, rocking rhythm in the piano accompaniment. The second stanza is marked "Andante" and is more introspective, with a more complex piano accompaniment. The final stanza is marked "Adagio" and is the most dramatic of the three, with a more forceful piano accompaniment and a more impassioned vocal line. The song is notable for its use of chromaticism, particularly in the piano accompaniment. Schubert uses chromaticism to create a sense of tension and unease, which is then resolved in the final stanza with a return to the tonic key of C major. The vocal line is also notable for its use of melodic repetition, which creates a sense of lullaby-like comfort and reassurance. Overall, "An den Schlaf" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the universal desire for rest and peace in the face of life's struggles. Schubert's masterful use of chromaticism and melodic repetition make it a timeless classic of the Lied repertoire.

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