Transcript What is an Art Song?

What is an Art Song?
The Beginning and It’s Duration
Art Song vs Folk Song
In Western music, it is customary to distinguish Folk song, Popular song and
the Art Song. Folk songs generally are sung with simple accompaniment
(guitar) or a cappella and usually are learned by ear. They are rarely written
down so through generations of oral transmission they are susceptible to
changes in words and melodies. Composers of most folk songs are unknown.
Art songs, on the other hand, are intended for
performance by professional or at least
carefully taught singers, generally
accompanied by piano or instrumental
ensemble. The words and notes are written
down to avoid any changes.
Popular songs stand midway between folk and art
songs with regard to technical difficulty,
sophistication, and resistance to change
The purpose of the Art Song is use the full
resources of the art form to embellish, or
decorate and make the poet's text elegant ,
sometimes even realizing potential
interpretations were not explicit in the poet's
words.
.
Folk Songs
Folk songs often accompany activities such as
religious ceremonies, dancing, labor or
courtship, or are intended to tell exciting or
sentimental stories. They have relatively simple
melodies, usually with only one or a few notes
per syllable. The language tends to follow
certain conventions and often is repetitive.
Music and words are easily understandable.
Art songs in the European tradition are rarely
connected with other activities. Texts and
melodies tend to be subtle, sophisticated,
highly organized, wide-ranging and complex,
demanding repeated hearings for full
comprehension and appreciation. Art Song, like
classical music, had its origins in the medieval
courts and continued in colleges and even
churches.
So What Really Makes It An Art Song?
Based on what we've discussed so far,
an art song might be defined as "a
poem set to music, usually for trained
voice and piano accompaniment with
a duration of about three minutes."
The German word for such classical
song is Lied (singular) and Lieder
(plural), so that you will hear the terms
"art song," "lied" and "lieder" used
interchangeably. But more than this
simple definition:
“An art song strives to be the perfect
combination of music and literature,
based on four elements: poet,
composer, singer and accompanist.”
What You Need to Know!
FOLK SONGS
sung with simple accompaniment (guitar) or
a cappella and usually are learned by ear.
Composers of most folk songs are
unknown.
Folk songs often accompany activities such
as religious ceremonies, dancing, labor or
courtship, or are intended to tell exciting or
sentimental stories.
ART SONGS
Art songs are intended for performance
by professional or carefully taught
singers
accompanied by piano or instrumental
ensemble
Art songs in the European tradition are
rarely connected with other activities
The German word for such classical
song is Lied
defined as "a poem set to music”
combination of music and literature,
based on four elements: poet,
composer, singer and accompanist.
Composers of Art Songs
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Charles Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
Clara Schumann
Franz Schubert
Robert Schumann
Charles Camille Saint-Saëns
Autumn Gives Her Hand to Winter
Leaves of gold, red and
brown,
Glories past now lie down
Leaving branches bare to
weep and moan,
Watching laughing water turn
to stone.
Vacant skies restless wind,
Silent birds hear within;
Echoes from a summer long since
gone;
Whispers of a call to fly have
come.
Clouds of mourning, Clouds
of tears,
Clouds of anger, Clouds of
fears.
Sun and moon stare wistfully
remembering
the passing year - the passing year.
Autumn lies down to
rest,
Having shared all her best,
Comes a soul and comforter.
Autumn gives her hand to Winter.
Autumn gives her hand to Winter.
Reflection
1. What word or phrases impacts you the most?
2. Explain the feelings that come to your mind when
you read or hear these phrases?
3. What phrases does the composer use to show the
transition from autumn to winter?
4. Why does autumn give her hand to winter?
5. How can you relate this song to an experience in
your own life?