An art song is most often a musical setting of an independent poem or text, “intended for the concert repertory” “as part of a recital or other relatively formal social occasion.” Art Song Characteristics By extension, the term “art song” is used to refer to the genre of such songs. IntroductionĪn art song is a vocal music composition, usually written for one voice with piano accompaniment, and usually in the classical tradition. Because so many art songs in a Romantic style were composed by German composers, we often use the German word for songs, “lieder,” when studying this genre. We study art songs now because they were such an integral part of the Romantic repertoire, particularly that of Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. Many composers of earlier historical periods composed songs that would fit the definition of art song as listed in this page. Trio Dali ( Amandine Savary, piano Jack Liebeck, violin Christian-Pierre La Marca, 'cello) (2011).Art songs are not new to the Romantic era.Eugene Istomin, piano Isaac Stern, violin Leonard Rose, 'cello (1964).New York Trio ( Clarence Adler, piano Louis Edlin, violin Cornelius van Vliet, 'cello) (released late 1928 as Edison Diamond Discs 80898/901 deleted December 31, 1929).Alfred Cortot, piano Jacques Thibaud, violin Pablo Casals, 'cello ( Kingsway Hall, London, July 5 originally released in October 1926 as HMV DB947/50, with US issue as Victor set M 11).The music ends with a coda marked Presto. These give further credence to the theory that the minim is in fact the basic time unit in this movement. The sections in 2/4 are interrupted three times by passages in 3/2 time, in the style of a polonaise. A two-bar rhythm is prevalent, giving the marked impression of alla breve time rather than 2/4, almost as if Schubert notated it 2/4 to avoid the frequent syncopations (in the equivalent alla breve, the music starts from the weak beat) which, though sounding smooth in actual performance, look clunky and cumbersome on the score. Allegro vivace The principal theme of the last movement (rondo, 2/4, B-flat) resembles that of one of Schubert's songs, "Skolie", although this resemblance might be accidental. Allegro The scherzo proper features heavy counterpoint, with the three instruments constantly imitating each other. The third movement (3/4, B-flat) is in the classical minuet form. Like some of Schubert's other late slow movements, there is a contrasting section which is more turbulent. Andante un poco mosso The second movement (6/8, E-flat) is in the style of a gondola song with a lilting melody and swaying rhythm.In the last section of the development, fragmented versions of the main theme are presented in a succession of keys, each closer to the central key than the previous one. As is typical in a classical piece, the development section expands on both themes, going into remote keys and often becoming turbulent. The first theme is characterized by dotted rhythms and irregular phrase lengths while the second theme by contrast has lyrical melodies and regular phrases. Allegro moderato The first movement (4/4, B-flat) is in sonata form with two main themes in the exposition.