Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1840

Average_duration

:

1:13

"Und wüssten's die Blumen, die kleinen" is a Lied composed by Robert Schumann in 1840 as part of his song cycle "Myrthen", Op. 25. The song was premiered on June 20, 1840, in Leipzig, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, as the soloist. The song is set to a poem by Friedrich Rückert, which tells the story of a lover who asks the flowers if they know where his beloved is. The flowers respond that they do not know, but they offer their fragrance and beauty to comfort the lover in his sorrow. The song is in the key of A-flat major and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). It is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked by a gentle, flowing melody in the piano, which sets the mood for the lover's question to the flowers. The second section is more agitated, with the piano playing a series of arpeggios that suggest the lover's anxiety and desperation. The final section returns to the gentle melody of the opening, as the flowers offer their consolation to the lover. Schumann's setting of Rückert's poem is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The melody is straightforward and unadorned, allowing the beauty of the text to shine through. The piano accompaniment is similarly spare, with a few simple chords and arpeggios that provide a delicate framework for the voice. "Und wüssten's die Blumen, die kleinen" is a quintessential example of Schumann's Lieder, which are known for their emotional intensity and expressive power. The song captures the essence of Romanticism, with its emphasis on individual feeling and the beauty of nature. It remains a beloved and frequently performed work in the Lieder repertoire.

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