Svendsen, Johan

Digt af Molbech

(Digt af Molbæk (Dæmring))

Poem by Molbech

JSV 25

This song was written in Lübeck in spring of 1863, more specifically on 14 February. The title page of the autograph score reads: ‘Digt af Molbæk (Dæmring) Musik af JSvendsen.’ The date is followed by the number 25 in parentheses in line with Svendsen’s early work numbering. The author of the poem is Christian Knud Frederik Molbech (1821–1888), and the first verse begins ‘Hvad hjelper det, din Kind er rød’ (What good is it that your cheeks are red), part of the collection Dæmring published in 1852.55 Svendsen’s autograph only includes the first verse of the poem.

Composition: 14 Feb. 1863.

Lübeck

Andante espressivo

Key: G minor

Extent: ca. 4:30 min.