Composer

:

Edvard Grieg

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1873 - 1880

Publication Date

:

1881

Average_duration

:

5:00

"Last Spring" is a song for voice and piano, composed by Edvard Grieg in 1880. It is the second of two songs in his Opus 33, the first being "The Poet's Heart." The song was premiered in 1881 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Grieg accompanying the singer. The song is divided into three movements, with the first and third being in a minor key and the second in a major key. The first movement begins with a melancholic piano introduction, setting the tone for the song. The singer enters with a mournful melody, singing about the end of spring and the coming of summer. The piano accompaniment is sparse, with long, sustained chords that add to the somber mood of the piece. The second movement is more hopeful, with a brighter melody and a major key. The singer sings about the beauty of nature and the joy of life. The piano accompaniment is more lively, with a faster tempo and more intricate melodies. The third movement returns to the melancholic mood of the first, with the singer lamenting the passing of spring and the coming of winter. The piano accompaniment is similar to the first movement, with long, sustained chords and a slow tempo. Overall, "Last Spring" is a beautiful and haunting piece of music, with Grieg's signature use of folk melodies and his ability to evoke strong emotions through his music. The song is a reflection on the passing of time and the beauty of nature, and it remains a beloved piece in the classical music repertoire.

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