"Abendempfindung an Laura", K. 523, is a song by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition r ...

dated June 24, 1787, in Vienna, written at the time of the opera ''

Don Giovanni ''Don Giovanni'' (; K. 527; Vienna (1788) title: , literally ''The Rake Punished, or Don Giovanni'') is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Its subject is a centuries-old Spanis ...

'' and '' Eine kleine Nachtmusik''.

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The title translates as "Evening Sentiment". The poet is unknown, but scholars speculate the text may be written by

Joachim Heinrich Campe Joachim Heinrich Campe (29 June 1746 – 22 October 1818) was a German writer, linguist, educator and publisher. He was a major representative of philanthropinism and the German Enlightenment. Life Born to the merchant Burchard Hilmar Campe and ...

. The song is in a melancholy mood, with the singer reviewing his failed romantic relationship and the inevitablity of death. Abend ist’s, die Sonne ist verschwunden, Und der Mond strahlt Silberglanz; So entflieh’n des Lebens schönste Stunden, Flieh’n vorüber wie im Tanz! Bald entflieht des Lebens bunte Szene, Und der Vorhang rollt herab. Aus ist unser Spiel! Des Freundes Träne Fließet schon auf unser Grab. Bald vielleicht mir weht, wie Westwind leise, Eine stille Ahnung zu – Schließ’ ich dieses Lebens Pilgerreise, Fliege in das Land der Ruh’. Werdet ihr dann an meinem Grabe weinen, Trauernd meine Asche seh’n, Dann, o Freunde, will ich euch erscheinen Und will Himmel auf euch weh’n. Schenk’ auch du ein Tränchen mir Und pflücke mir ein Veilchen auf mein Grab; Und mit deinem seelenvollen Blicke Sieh’ dann sanft auf mich herab. Weih mir eine Träne, und ach! Schäme dich nur nicht, sie mir zu weih’n, Oh, sie wird in meinem Diademe Dann die schönste Perle sein.

Music

Mozart's longest song, lasting 110 bars, in Alla breve time the key of F major. The varying music moods, wide ranging tonal scheme and contemplation of sadness is reminiscent of

Schubert Franz Peter Schubert (; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Despite his short lifetime, Schubert left behind a vast ''oeuvre'', including more than 600 secular vocal wor ...

. The composer is in an unusually restrained and contemplative mood. A typical performance lasts around 5 minutes.Record notes by William S. Mann 1956. EMI ASD 3858 063-01578;

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf, (9 December 19153 August 2006) was a German-born Austro-British soprano. She was among the foremost singers of lieder, and is renowned for her performances of Viennese operetta, as well as the op ...

soprano,

Walter Gieseking Walter Wilhelm Gieseking (5 November 1895 – 26 October 1956) was a French-born German pianist and composer. Gieseking was renowned for his subtle touch, pedaling, and dynamic control—particularly in the music of Debussy and Ravel; he made inte ...

(piano), 13 to 16 April 1955

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* (with recordings, discography) * * *,

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (28 May 1925 – 18 May 2012) was a German lyric baritone and conductor of classical music, one of the most famous Lieder (art song) performers of the post-war period, best known as a singer of Franz Schubert's Lieder, ...

(baritone),

Daniel Barenboim Daniel Barenboim (; in he, דניאל בארנבוים, born 15 November 1942) is an Argentine-born classical pianist and conductor based in Berlin. He has been since 1992 General Music Director of the Berlin State Opera and "Staatskapellmeist ...

(piano) *,

(soprano),

Gerald Moore Gerald Moore Order of the British Empire, CBE (30 July 1899 – 13 March 1987) was an England, English classical music, classical pianist best known for his career as a Collaborative piano, collaborative pianist for many distinguished musicians. ...

(piano) {{Authority control Compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1787 compositions 1787 songs Compositions in F major

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Music

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