Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 1897

Average_duration

:

11:18

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Hugo Wolf's 'Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo' (Three Poems by Michelangelo) is a song cycle composed in 1897. The premiere of the work took place on January 23, 1898, in Vienna, with the baritone singer Friedrich Weidemann and the composer himself at the piano. The cycle consists of three songs, each based on a poem by Michelangelo Buonarroti, an Italian Renaissance artist, and poet. The first song, 'Wohl denk' ich oft an mein vergangenes Leben' (Often I think of my past life), is a contemplative piece that reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The music is somber and introspective, with a slow tempo and a melancholic melody that captures the mood of the text. The second song, 'Alles endet, was entstehet' (All that arises must pass away), is a more dramatic and intense piece that explores the themes of love and loss. The music is characterized by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the text. The final song, 'Fühlt meine Seele das ersehnte Licht' (If my soul feels the longed-for light), is a hopeful and uplifting piece that celebrates the power of art and creativity to transcend the limitations of the physical world. The music is joyful and exuberant, with a lively tempo and a soaring melody that captures the sense of liberation and freedom expressed in the text. Overall, 'Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo' is a powerful and deeply expressive work that showcases Hugo Wolf's mastery of the art song genre. The cycle is notable for its rich harmonic language, complex textures, and emotional depth, which make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike.

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