Description
The repertoire of nineteenth-century German lieder presents a rich tapestry of expressiveness encapsulated within brief musical moments. This compilation of essays by esteemed scholars examines representative works from the principal composers of lieder, alongside the styles, forms, and poetry that define this musical genre.
The volume opens with a chapter by Harry Seelig, who explores the literary backdrop of the nineteenth-century lieder, positing that Goethe played a pivotal role in shaping German Romantic poetry, thereby influencing both poets and composers. The following chapters delve into the contributions of specific lieder composers. Susan Youens provides an overview of Schubert's songs, offering an in-depth analysis of his text-setting and stylistic choices in selected pieces; Rufus Hallmark similarly addresses Schumann, extending his analysis to the composer’s lesser-known late works and songs for multiple voices; Virginia Hancock advocates for the equal consideration of Brahms's folk-tune and folk-lyric settings alongside his Kunstlieder; Lawrence Kramer investigates Wolf's unique approach to the lieder in the context of the contemporary rise of psychiatry; Barbara A. Petersen surveys the diverse musical aesthetics present in Richard Strauss's extensive lieder output; and Christopher Lewis discusses the distinctive manner in which Mahler's songs reflect the Romantic dilemma.
In contrast to these examinations of the renowned masters, Jurgen Thym's contribution brings attention to five composers whose lieder are less frequently discussed and performed in English-speaking regions: Carl Loewe, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Franz Liszt, Robert Franz, and Peter Cornelius. John Daverio analyzes the song cycle as a manifestation of Romantic imagery and aesthetics, while Robert Spillman highlights the practical aspects of a singer's engagement with an audience in German. The authors utilize numerous musical and textual examples to support their arguments, and each chapter is accompanied by extensive notes and bibliographies.
