Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Jan 1902

Average_duration

:

2:13

"Totensprache, Op. 62/12" is a composition by Max Reger, a German composer, pianist, and conductor. The piece was composed in 1901 and premiered on January 26, 1902, in Munich, Germany. It is part of a larger collection of songs called "Zwölf Lieder, Op. 62," which Reger composed between 1900 and 1901. "Totensprache" is a song for voice and piano, and it is the twelfth and final song in the collection. The text is a poem by Friedrich Hebbel, a German poet and dramatist. The poem is a funeral oration, spoken by Death himself, in which he reflects on the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The piece is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section is slow and mournful, with a simple, repetitive piano accompaniment that sets the somber tone. The vocal line is declamatory and expressive, with long, sustained notes that convey the weight of Death's words. The second section is faster and more agitated, with a more complex piano accompaniment that adds tension and urgency to the music. The vocal line is more fragmented and angular, with shorter, more staccato phrases that convey Death's sense of urgency and impatience. The final section returns to the slow, mournful mood of the opening, with a simple, repetitive piano accompaniment that gradually fades away. The vocal line is more subdued and introspective, with a sense of resignation and acceptance. Overall, "Totensprache" is a powerful and moving piece of music that captures the essence of Hebbel's poem and Reger's own musical style. It is a testament to Reger's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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