Art song

Definition

An art song is a vocal music composition, typically for solo voice accompanied by piano, that emphasizes the artistic expression of poetry. These songs are characterized by their emotional depth, intricate musical settings of lyrics, and the exploration of personal themes, making them a vital part of the late 19th and early 20th-century music scene, particularly influenced by Symbolist poetry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Art songs emerged prominently in the 19th century as composers sought to elevate the genre beyond simple folk music or commercial songs.
2. Composers like Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and later Gustav Mahler significantly contributed to the development of the art song genre.
3. The connection between the text and music is crucial in art songs, where composers often adapt melodies to enhance the meaning and emotion of the lyrics.
4. Symbolist poets such as Paul Verlaine and Stéphane Mallarmé influenced composers to create music that evokes mood and imagery rather than just conveying narrative content.
5. The art song tradition continued to evolve into the 20th century, inspiring contemporary composers to explore new musical styles while retaining the essence of poetic expression.

Review Questions

• How did Symbolist poetry influence the development of the art song genre?
  • Symbolist poetry significantly shaped the art song genre by inspiring composers to focus on mood, imagery, and emotional depth rather than straightforward storytelling. This led to compositions that emphasized the interpretation of poetic texts through innovative musical techniques. As poets like Paul Verlaine used indirect suggestion in their work, composers adapted their musical settings to reflect these subtleties, resulting in a richer artistic collaboration between literature and music.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of art songs with traditional folk songs.
  • Art songs differ from traditional folk songs in several key ways. While folk songs are often simple in structure and focus on communal themes or storytelling, art songs are more complex compositions that emphasize individual expression and emotional depth. Additionally, art songs are usually written for solo voice with piano accompaniment, allowing for intricate musical settings that reflect the nuances of poetry. This focus on artistic expression elevates art songs beyond mere entertainment, making them a form of serious musical artistry.
• Evaluate the impact of composers like Schubert and Schumann on the evolution of art songs in relation to Symbolist poetry.
  • Composers like Schubert and Schumann played a crucial role in shaping the art song genre, especially in relation to Symbolist poetry. Schubert's ability to capture emotional nuances through melodic lines set a standard for expressive vocal music. Schumann further expanded this by experimenting with musical forms and exploring themes of love, nature, and longing—elements prevalent in Symbolist poetry. Their works laid the foundation for future composers to delve into complex emotional landscapes while using Symbolist principles to create evocative music that resonates with listeners on both intellectual and emotional levels.

Related terms

Lied: A German art song typically for voice and piano, often reflecting Romantic themes and emotions.

Symbolism: A literary movement that sought to express abstract ideas through symbolic images and indirect suggestion, greatly influencing music and poetry.

Song Cycle: A group of related songs intended to be performed in sequence, often telling a story or exploring a common theme.