Composer Datasheet

Composers Name (full name): Hans Pfitzner

Dates: 1869-1949


Country of origin: Germany (born in Moscow, but considered Frankfurt his home town)


Educational background (teachers, institutions): Early studies with his father and later studies at the
Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt.



Compositional style:
Highly romantic, his piano accompaniments are inspired in Schumanns and Brahmss style, and his use
of polyphony, chromaticism and unifying motives is close to Wagner and Strauss. Pfitzner songs are
intimate and subtle in character, and contain a particular beauty.


Important compositions:

His most important works are the Musical Legend Palestrina, and his more than 150 lieder. In addition
he has also several operas, chamber and orchestral repertoire.

Significance to the development of song:

Pftzner contributed to the the repertoire with more than 150 lieder, with a style that is reminiscent from
both romantic and late romantic styles.

Sample of poets set by composer.

Eichendorff, Ruckert, Heine, Goethe, Moricke, Petrarch, etc.

More historical and social information about the composer: Pfitzner was not exactly pro-Nazi, but he
had nationalistic tendencies and sought proximity with the regimen in favor of his career. However, he
irritated the Nazi party wuth his proximity with jews, such as the conductor Bruno Walter, and also
when he refused to compose incidental music for The Midsummernight Dream to substitute
Mendelssohns version.
 Poet Datasheet

Poets Name (full name): Joseph von Eichendorff

Dates: 1788-1857

Country of origin: Germany

Educational background: Eichendorff studied law and humanities in Halle an der Saale and
also attended University of Heidelberg.

Literary style: Eichendorff uses many poetic forms in his oeuvre, but his main focus was in
imitating folk songs. He uses simple vocabulary and strong imagery.

Important Poems: His work includes several volumes of poetry, narrative texts and plays.

Significance to the development of song:

Eichendorff was the most popular German poet to be set into music.

Composers who have set poets songs.

Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Wolf, Strauss, Pfitzner, Zilcher, Zemlimsky, Reger, etc.

More about the poet:

 SONG DATASHEET

Title of Song: Abschied

Title of Larger Work:

First line if not title of song: Abendlich schon rauscht der Wald

Opus/Catalog Number: op. 9, n. 5

Title of Larger Work:

Original key: I couldnt find information on the original key. I found the score in C minor, in a
volume for low voices, but I am not sure this is the original key.

Key for your performance: C minor

Composer: Hans Pftzner

Poet: Joseph von Eichendorff

Year Composed: 1894-95

Sheet music source: http://waltercosand.com/CosandScores/Composers%20L-

P/Pfitzner,%20Hans/Voice%20and%20Piano/Pfitzner%2520Lieder%2520f%25C3%25BCr%25
20Mezzo%2520und%2520Bariton%2520Heft%25202.pdf page 10

Voice type: The key I found it in is good for mezzo/baritone, which also fits with the dark tone
of the poem, but I feel this song could be transposed and done by any voice type.

Development Level Type/Why: Upper collegiate/graduate level. Although it does not seem
particularly difficulty to sing, the song demands extreme control of soft dynamics and legato, and
a more mature understanding of poetry.

Recordings:
Hermann Prey/Wolfgang Sawallish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FihMOtH9-9M

Interpretation of the poem: This short poem contains all the major romantic themes in it: A
Wanderer, who yearns for home, seeks refuge in nature. Nature symbolizing human emotions.
The desire to find inner peace.

Reflections: It was a good experience for me getting to hear Pfitzner songs this week. I was
really struck by their beauty and I look forward to exploring more from him in the future. This
song in particular reminds me from Schumann in the piano accompaniment, and how piano and
voice are equals.
 STYLE

Melody: Phrase Shape/Length

Long Legato phrases, doesnt require a wild range

Harmony: Texture diatonic with some short chromatic alterations.

Key Scheme

Rhythm: Rhythmic Patterns In the voice part there are some rhythmical dislocations such
as hemiolas. The accompaniment has 3 layers, and in the second verse it uses polyrhythms in
which the left hand plays patterns with 8 or 7 notes and the right hand keeps playing 12
notes/bar.
Tempo Sehr Langsam, leise Molto lento, piano

Accomp.: Prelude/Interlude/Postlude The song starts with four measures where the piano
presents the mood of the whole song.
Texture There are three layers of accompaniment: bass line, arpeggios in the
right hand, and a melody in the middle. Between the two verses the piano varies and starts to use
polyrhythms.

Shared Material The middle melody in the piano part anticipates the vocal line,
and in a climatic place the right hand doubles the voice.
Text Painting It sets the mood of the poem beautifully, portraying a silent and
calm night, somewhat mysterious.

Poets/Texts: Prosody
Choice of Texts: Eichendorff was Pfitzners favorite poet, and the thematic of the
poem matches his talents to convey intimacy.

Abendlich schon rauscht der Wald
Aus den tiefsten Grnden,
Droben wird der Herr nun bald
[An die Sternlein znden]1,
Wie so stille in den Schlnden,
Abendlich nur rauscht der Wald.
Alles geht zu seiner Ruh,
[Wald und Welt versausen]2,
Schauernd hrt der Wandrer zu,
Sehnt sich [recht]3 nach Hause,
Hier in Waldes [grner]4 Klause
Herz, geh' [endlich auch]5 zur Ruh!
TEXT
Evening breezes rustle yet in the
wood
from the deepest grounds;
above the lord will now soon
light the stars.
How silent in the chasms!
Just evening breezes in the wood.
Everything goes to its rest.
Wood and world vanish;
shuddering, the wanderer listens,
yearning for home.
Here in the quiet hermitage of the
forest,
Heart, at last too go to rest.