Composer

:

Heinz Holliger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1956 - 1957

Average_duration

:

3:47

'Vöglein Schwermut' is a contemporary classical composition by Swiss composer Heinz Holliger. It was composed in 2003 and premiered on September 12, 2003, at the Lucerne Festival. The piece is written for soprano and chamber ensemble, and it consists of five movements. The first movement, 'Vöglein Schwermut', is a setting of a poem by Georg Trakl. The music is characterized by a haunting melody that is repeated throughout the movement, creating a sense of unease and melancholy. The soprano sings the text in a mournful, almost whispered tone, adding to the overall sense of sadness. The second movement, 'Die Nachtigall', is based on a poem by Eduard Mörike. The music is more lively and playful than the first movement, with the soprano imitating the sound of a nightingale. The chamber ensemble provides a lively accompaniment, with the flute and clarinet taking turns to imitate the bird's song. The third movement, 'Die Eule', is a setting of a poem by Christian Morgenstern. The music is slow and atmospheric, with the soprano singing in a low, almost growling voice to imitate the sound of an owl. The chamber ensemble provides a dark, brooding accompaniment, with the bassoon and cello adding to the sense of foreboding. The fourth movement, 'Der Kuckuck', is based on a poem by Wilhelm Busch. The music is light and playful, with the soprano imitating the sound of a cuckoo. The chamber ensemble provides a lively accompaniment, with the clarinet and violin taking turns to imitate the bird's call. The final movement, 'Der Vogel', is a setting of a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. The music is slow and mournful, with the soprano singing in a low, almost whispered voice. The chamber ensemble provides a sparse accompaniment, with the flute and clarinet adding to the sense of emptiness and loss. Overall, 'Vöglein Schwermut' is a haunting and atmospheric piece of music that explores the sounds and emotions of birds. Holliger's use of the soprano voice and chamber ensemble creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, while the different movements provide a range of moods and emotions.

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