Heine-Lieder : Melanconia (Ein Reiter durch das Bergtal zieht) / Zavertal

Composer: Zavertal, Ladislao
Dates: 1849-1942
Song title: Melanconia
Opus, no., etc.: Nr.4
Music collection title: Eco dei miei verd'anni! Album di nove canzoni per varie voci [sheet music series]
Imprint(s): London, New York: Boosey & Co., [1900?]
Source(s) for score: In: Zavertal, Miscellaneous compositions, 1 box, Yale Univ. Music Library (held at Beinecke Rare Book Library) OCLC=#19237447
1st line of poem: Ein Reiter durch das Bergtal zieht (Go to text)
Source of poem: Buch der Lieder: Junge Leiden: Romanzen, Nr.2
Date of composition: -
Nationality of composer: Italian
Language(s) of text: Italian
Tempo marking: Andantino quasi Allegretto (quarter note = 72)
Key: A minor
Time signature: 2/4
No. of measures: 67
Approximate duration: 2 min., 15 sec.
Form: through-composed
Vocal range: B to f' [2 g' grace notes]
Vocal tessitura: rather high, unless optional lower octaves to high e's, f's and g's are sung (Go to chart)
Vocal rhythms: predominantly quarter notes and contrasting subdivisions (dotted eighths and sixteenth notes, eighth note duplets and triplets); two long held high e's (three and a half measures), the second ornamented
Vocal intervals: most phrases incorporate both stepwise motion and wider skips (mostly fourths and fifths)
Vocal comments: cover indicates "per mezzo-soprano o baritono" but tessitura is somewhat high, unless the upper range is very secure, or unless optional lower octaves to high e's, f's and g's are sung; however the song is much more effective with higher notes, and would work well for a soprano or tenor with a good low B
Textual variants, etc.: -
Instrumental part(s): Quite easy; mostly four-voice chordal texture, with frequent duplet and triplet eighth- and sixteenth-note figurations especially when the vocal part is static
Summary: Thanks to the rhythmically and melodically fluid Italianate style, the simple but interesting harmonies and accompanimental texture, this is a remarkably effective setting in conventional mid-19th-century manner. It is also notable for being in Italian translation.