Aufgesang

music

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June 18, 2026

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The term "Aufgesang" refers to the first two musical sections of a song stanza in the tradition of German Minnesang and later Meistersinger poetry. These two sections, known as Stollen, are musically identical. Together, the Stollen form the Aufgesang, which is followed by a third, distinct section called the Abgesang. This tripartite structure (Aufgesang + Abgesang) is a form derived from the Provençal canso and is sometimes referred to as Bar form. The Aufgesang is a key component in the musical and poetic structure of these medieval German song forms.12

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minnesinger
…called individually Stollen and collectively Aufgesang, and a third section, or Abgesang (the terms derive from the later meistersingers); the formal ratio between Aufgesang and Abgesang is variable. The basic aab pattern was subject to much variation (see Bar form).
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…called individually Stollen and collectively Aufgesang, and a third section, or Abgesang (the terms derive from the later meistersingers); the formal ratio between Aufgesang and Abgesang is variable. The basic aab pattern was subject to much variation (see Bar form).
Read More