Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1781

Average_duration

:

2:11

"An Thyrsis" is a vocal work composed by Franz Joseph Haydn in 1784. It was premiered in Vienna in the same year. The piece is part of a collection of six songs, known as the "Original Canzonettas," which were composed for the English soprano Anne Hunter. "An Thyrsis" is a solo song for voice and piano, with lyrics written by Anne Hunter herself. The piece is in the key of G major and has a moderate tempo. It consists of two stanzas, each with four lines, and a refrain that is repeated after each stanza. The first stanza describes the beauty of the natural world, with references to the sun, the moon, and the stars. The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The refrain, which is sung after each stanza, expresses a longing for the simplicity and innocence of childhood. Musically, "An Thyrsis" is characterized by its simple, lyrical melody and its use of ornamentation, particularly in the piano accompaniment. The piece also features a number of dynamic contrasts, with the volume of the music rising and falling in response to the emotional content of the lyrics. Overall, "An Thyrsis" is a beautiful and poignant work that showcases Haydn's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its themes of nature, time, and mortality are universal and timeless, making it a piece that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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