Composer

:

Alban Berg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1902

Average_duration

:

1:46

"Herbstgefühl" is a song composed by Alban Berg in 1907. It was premiered in Vienna in 1911. The song is part of a collection of seven songs called "Sieben frühe Lieder" (Seven Early Songs) which were composed between 1905 and 1908. "Herbstgefühl" is the fourth song in the collection and is written for a solo voice and piano. The text is a poem by Carl Hauptmann, the brother of the famous German playwright Gerhart Hauptmann. The poem describes the feeling of autumn, with its melancholic and nostalgic atmosphere. The song is in a slow tempo and is marked "sehr langsam und ausdrucksvoll" (very slow and expressive). The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with a simple melody that supports the voice. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases and a wide range of dynamics. The song is divided into three sections, each with a different mood and character. The first section is marked "sehr ruhig und innig" (very calm and intimate) and sets the mood of the song with a gentle melody and soft dynamics. The second section is marked "etwas bewegter" (somewhat more animated) and introduces a more agitated melody that reflects the changing colors of autumn. The third section is marked "wieder sehr ruhig" (again very calm) and returns to the peaceful mood of the beginning, with a simple and delicate melody that fades away into silence. "Herbstgefühl" is a typical example of Berg's early style, which is characterized by a lyrical and expressive vocal line, a sparse and delicate piano accompaniment, and a strong emotional content. The song reflects the influence of the Romantic tradition, especially the lieder of Schubert and Schumann, but also shows Berg's own originality and sensitivity.

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