Composer

:

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1875

Average_duration

:

3:24

"Was it the mother who bore me?" is a song composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky as part of his Op. 27 collection of songs. The song was composed in 1875 and premiered the same year in Moscow. The song is a setting of a poem by Aleksey Tolstoy, which explores the theme of a mother's love and the pain of separation. The poem is written from the perspective of a child who has been separated from their mother and is longing to be reunited with her. The child questions whether it was indeed their mother who gave birth to them, as they cannot imagine anyone else loving them as much as their mother does. The song is composed in the key of A-flat major and is in a slow tempo. It is divided into three sections, with the first and third sections being in a minor key and the middle section in a major key. The song begins with a melancholic melody played by the piano, which sets the mood for the entire piece. The vocal line enters with the first verse, which is sung in a soft and tender manner. The second verse is more intense, with the vocal line rising to a climax before returning to the soft and tender melody of the first verse. The final verse is sung in a more subdued manner, with the vocal line gradually fading away as the song comes to a close. The song is characterized by Tchaikovsky's use of rich harmonies and expressive melodies, which convey the emotional depth of the poem. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its use of arpeggios and broken chords, which create a sense of longing and yearning. The song is a testament to Tchaikovsky's skill as a composer of art songs, and it remains a popular piece in the repertoire of many singers and pianists today.

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