I am not a fan of operas because they often seem overly simplistic and overly theatrical, but our orchestra is playing an orchestral version of "Hänsel und Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck and the "Evening Song" movement is quite beautiful, I feel. So, I decided to share it.
Who was Engelbert Humperdinck? No, he isn't that British singer or the man from the movie "The Princess Bride." He was a German composer (1854 – 1921) best known for this opera, Hänsel und Gretel.
One interesting fact about Humperdinck is that he was the first composer to use Sprechgesang, a vocal technique halfway between singing and speaking (Wikipedia). Maybe he was one of the first rap composers!
Also, he had a heart attack during a music performance, and died the next day of a second heart attack. So, it's bad that he had a heart attack...but good that he was listening to music!
The composition "Evening Song" includes lovely swells and crests. I like the violin part the best because it is melodious and interesting but fairly easy but fun to play. I get chills sometimes while playing it.
The following youtube video is of a youth orchestra playing "Evening Song" quite capably along with a university orchestra. My favorite part is around 4:00 and especially up through 5:00 and right after when you hit the crest around 5:20. I might even break down and buy an MP3 of the professional orchestral version of "Evening Song" to hear it in all its glory without the coughing that you get in the video.
Hänsel und Gretel - Evening Song (Orchestral Version) by Engelbert Humperdinck
And here is how the song sounds when sung by opera singers:
Hänsel und Gretel - Evening Song (Opera version) by Engelbert Humperdinck