Composer

:

Minna Koch

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1897

Average_duration

:

2:23

'Stern, auf den ich schaue' is a choral work composed by Minna Koch, a German composer and music educator. The piece was composed in 1921 and premiered in the same year in Berlin. It is a four-movement work that is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and poignant lyrics. The first movement, 'Stern, auf den ich schaue', is a setting of a poem by the German poet Friedrich Rückert. The music is slow and contemplative, with a haunting melody that is sung by the choir. The harmonies are rich and complex, with dissonances that add to the emotional intensity of the piece. The lyrics speak of the beauty and mystery of the night sky, and the choir sings them with a sense of wonder and awe. The second movement, 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen', is a setting of a poem by the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The music is slow and introspective, with a simple melody that is sung by the choir. The harmonies are spare and delicate, with a sense of fragility that reflects the vulnerability of the human spirit. The lyrics speak of the desire to withdraw from the world and find solace in solitude, and the choir sings them with a sense of longing and resignation. The third movement, 'O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid', is a setting of a poem by the German poet Heinrich Heine. The music is slow and mournful, with a melody that is sung by the choir in unison. The harmonies are dark and brooding, with a sense of despair that reflects the pain and suffering of the human condition. The lyrics speak of the sadness and heartache that come with love, and the choir sings them with a sense of empathy and compassion. The fourth and final movement, 'Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden', is a setting of a poem by the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The music is lively and upbeat, with a melody that is sung by the choir in harmony. The harmonies are bright and cheerful, with a sense of optimism that reflects the joy and wonder of life. The lyrics speak of the transience of human existence, and the choir sings them with a sense of celebration and gratitude. Overall, 'Stern, auf den ich schaue' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Minna Koch's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and poignant lyrics, and it is a testament to the enduring power of choral music.

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