Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Oct 1819

Average_duration

:

2:48

Die Sternennächte, D. 670, Op. posth. 165/2 is a song cycle composed by Franz Schubert in 1825. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which is a setting of a poem by Ernst Schulze. The premiere of the cycle is not known, as it was not published until after Schubert's death. The six songs in the cycle are: 1. "Liebhaber in allen Gestalten" (Lover in all guises) 2. "Lob der Tränen" (In praise of tears) 3. "Über Wildemann" (Above Wildemann) 4. "Im Walde" (In the forest) 5. "An den Mond" (To the moon) 6. "Ein Wanderer" (A wanderer) The cycle is characterized by its melancholic and introspective tone, which reflects the themes of love, loss, and longing that are present in Schulze's poetry. Schubert's music is highly expressive, with rich harmonies and lyrical melodies that capture the emotional depth of the texts. The first song, "Liebhaber in allen Gestalten," is a wistful reflection on the different forms that love can take, from the fleeting infatuation of youth to the enduring passion of mature love. The second song, "Lob der Tränen," celebrates the cathartic power of tears in the face of heartbreak and loss. "Über Wildemann" is a hauntingly beautiful song that describes a solitary figure standing on a mountaintop, gazing out at the stars and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. "Im Walde" is a more upbeat and playful song that evokes the joy of being in nature, with its lively rhythms and lilting melodies. The fifth song, "An den Mond," is perhaps the most famous of the cycle, with its soaring melody and ethereal harmonies. The text is a love poem addressed to the moon, which is seen as a symbol of the beloved's beauty and grace. The final song, "Ein Wanderer," is a poignant reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The wanderer is a metaphor for the human condition, with its constant striving and searching for meaning in a world that is ultimately fleeting and ephemeral. Overall, Die Sternennächte is a masterful example of Schubert's artistry as a composer of lieder, with its richly expressive music and deeply affecting texts.

More....