Abgesang

Abgesang is a term primarily used in German literature and musicology to describe the final section of a strophic poem or song. It often serves as a concluding or summarizing part, providing a sense of closure. In the context of medieval German poetry, particularly Minnesang, the Abgesang follows the preceding stanzas, known as the Stollen and sometimes the Abgesang, and the second Stollen which mirrors the first.

The structure of a medieval German song often consists of two Stollen and one Abgesang. The Stollen typically present a theme or idea, and the Abgesang then resolves, comments upon, or offers a different perspective on that theme. The rhyme scheme and meter of the Abgesang can vary, but it is distinct from the preceding sections. It is not simply a repetition but a thematic and structural conclusion.

The concept of the Abgesang is important for understanding the formal organization of many German songs and poems from the medieval period onward. While its presence and function are most clearly defined in Minnesang, the idea of a concluding section with a distinct musical or poetic character can be found in later musical forms as well. The term emphasizes the complete artistic unit of a song, where each part contributes to the overall meaning and effect.