Composer

:

Robert Schumann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1849

Average_duration

:

2:43

"Bedeckt mich mit Blumen" is a Lied composed by Robert Schumann, Op. 138/4. It was composed in 1853, during the last years of Schumann's life. The song was premiered in Leipzig in 1853, with the composer's wife, Clara Schumann, as the soloist. The song is part of a cycle of six Lieder, collectively known as "Sechs Gedichte und Requiem, Op. 138". The cycle was composed in memory of Schumann's friend, the poet Justinus Kerner, who had died in 1862. "Bedeckt mich mit Blumen" is the fourth song in the cycle. The song is in A-flat major and is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow). It is a mournful and introspective piece, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment. The vocal line is characterized by long, sustained notes and a wide range of dynamics, from pianissimo to fortissimo. The text of the song is a poem by Kerner, which Schumann set to music. The poem speaks of death and the desire to be covered with flowers after death, as a symbol of remembrance and love. The song is a poignant reflection on mortality and the transience of life. Overall, "Bedeckt mich mit Blumen" is a beautiful and moving piece of music, which showcases Schumann's skill as a composer of Lieder. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics make it a fitting tribute to Schumann's friend and a powerful expression of the human experience.

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