Composer: Franz, Robert
Dates: 1815-1892
Song title: Traumbild
Opus, no., etc.: op.34, Nr.3
Music collection title: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichte von
Heinrich Heine
Imprint(s): Leipzig : F.E.C. Leuckart
Source(s) for score: Franz-Album, Band 4 -- Edition Peters
(Pl. no. 1427) = Franz-Album : 24 Lieder und Gesänge --
Leuckart
1st line of poem: Mir träumte einst von wildem
Liebesglüh'n (Go
to text)
Source of poem: Buch der Lieder: Junge Leiden: Traumbilder,
Nr.1
Date of composition: -
Nationality of composer: German
Language(s) of text: German and English; no translator
given
Tempo marking: Andante con moto, Appassionato
Key: E-flat minor
Time signature: common time
No. of measures: 34
Approximate duration: 2 min. 20 sec.
Form: Through-composed
Vocal range: e-flat to f' [e-flat' to f'']
Vocal tessitura: medium, centering around b-flat (Go
to chart)
Vocal rhythms: mostly in flowing eighth-notes
Vocal intervals: stepwise, with occasional dramatic skips of
up to a major sixth
Vocal comments: Occasional longer phrases call for good breath
control. Final phrase more challenging, but effective: starts low and
ends piano on f' on dominant 7th chord. Male singer (tenor or high
baritone) more appropriate to text
Textual variants, etc.: -
Instrumental part(s): piano part not very difficult, melody
often in octaves in right hand, doubling voice; voicing can be a
little challenging at times
Summary: Overall an effective song with a pleasing but not
extremely memorable melodic contour. Expresses the general meaning of
the poem well. Harmonically quite tame, with occasional momentary
modulations and secondary dominants. Upward leap of major sixth in
right hand octaves featured in simple but dramatic short introduction
and interludes. Left hand pedal notes and accompanimental figures
with arpeggiated chords alternate with more melodic harmonization.
Interestingly varied three-measure postlude repeats end of final
vocal phrase, continues with a cadential figure in octaves, ending on
an arpeggiated chord with Picardy third.
Go to other settings of this poem
Go to other songs by this composer
Go to Index of first lines and titles
Go
to Listing of poems in published order
Copyright © 2000, Peter W. Shea
