Composer

:

Alban Berg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1902

Average_duration

:

1:23

"Traurigkeit" is a composition for soprano and piano composed by Alban Berg in 1903. The piece was premiered in Vienna in 1904. It consists of three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow), is characterized by a mournful melody in the soprano voice. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, providing a haunting backdrop for the singer's lament. The movement is marked by a sense of longing and sadness, with the soprano voice rising and falling in a series of plaintive phrases. The second movement, marked "Lebhaft" (lively), is a stark contrast to the first. The piano accompaniment is more active, with a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency. The soprano voice is more forceful, with a series of staccato phrases that convey a sense of anger and frustration. The movement is marked by a sense of conflict and tension, with the soprano and piano engaging in a kind of musical dialogue. The final movement, marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow), returns to the mournful mood of the first. The soprano voice is once again characterized by a sense of longing and sadness, with the piano accompaniment providing a delicate and ethereal backdrop. The movement is marked by a sense of resignation and acceptance, with the soprano voice rising and falling in a series of gentle, melancholy phrases. Overall, "Traurigkeit" is a deeply emotional and expressive work that showcases Berg's mastery of both melody and harmony. The piece is marked by a sense of longing and sadness, with the soprano voice conveying a range of emotions from despair to resignation. The piano accompaniment is spare and delicate, providing a haunting backdrop for the singer's lament. Despite its brevity, "Traurigkeit" is a powerful and moving work that remains a staple of the vocal repertoire.

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