A Guide to the Solo Songs of Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms composed songs throughout his creative life. While many of them are among the best-loved in the art song repertoire, dozens remain virtually unknown. For singers reluctant to explore unfamiliar territory, A Guide to the Solo Songs of Johannes Brahms eases the task by providing translations and a wealth of commentary and analysis. In an introductory chapter, Lucien Stark discusses Brahms as a song composer - his indebtedness to folk song and to the songs of Schubert, his elevation of the piano to equal partnership with the voice, and his continual striving to create the musical equivalent of the poetry. Brahms published 196 songs in 32 groups of, typically, five or six; two individual songs without opus number; and solo versions of eight of the Zigeunerlieder quartets - a total of 206 songs for solo voice with piano, all of which are analyzed here in detail. For each song, Stark provides the original German text, indicating its source and any significant alterations made by Brahms; a prose translation in idiomatic English; the date and place of composition and details of the song's earliest performance, if known; a description of its structure; the role of the piano; and commentary on the relationship between the text and the music. Stark also quotes relevant reactions from Brahm's friends, including Clara Schumann, Elisabet von Herzogenberg, and Theodor Billroth. Brief biographies of the poets and translators are given in an appendix, and the book concludes with a bibliography and a complete index of titles and first lines.

"It is informative, insightful, illuminating, an invaluable resource for singers, teachers, coach--accompanists, highly recommended for anyone having anything to do with Brahms lieder." --Journal of Singing Indiana University Press

"The song translations by Stanley Appelbaum are excellent. Stark's commentaries are concise, intelligent, highly readable... Laymen and specialists alike will find [this book] a useful reference book to have on their shelves." --Fontes Artis Musicae Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"This book would be a warmly welcomed addition to the library of any lover of art song." --American Music Teacher Indiana University Press

"Stark's understanding and affectionate discussion of the relationship between music and text draws the reader to examine more of Brahms's songs." --Choice Indiana University Press

"The song translations by Stanley Appelbaum are excellent. Stark's commentaries are concise, intelligent, highly readable... Laymen and specialists alike will find [this book] a useful reference book to have on their shelves." --Fontes Artis Musicae

"This book would be a warmly welcomed addition to the library of any lover of art song." --American Music Teacher

"It is informative, insightful, illuminating, an invaluable resource for singers, teachers, coach-accompanists, highly recommended for anyone having anything to do with Brahms lieder." --Journal of Singing

"Stark's understanding and affectionate discussion of the relationship between music and text draws the reader to examine more of Brahms's songs."--Choice

Lucien Stark analyzes in detail more than 200 solo songs by Brahms and gives us translations of the texts. For performers, students, and teachers, this is a treasure-house of information and insight about a rich and varied repertoire.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 369-370) and index.

Preface

Brahms as Song Composer

Six Gesänge for Tenor or Soprano

Six Gesänge for Soprano or Tenor

Six Gesänge

Lieder and Romanzen

Five Gedichte

Lieder and Gesänge to Texts by Platen and Daumer

Romanzen from Tieck's æMageloneÆ

Fopur Gesänge

Four Gesänge

Five Lieder

Seven Lieder

Five Lieder

Lieder and Gesänge to Texts by G. F. Daumer

Eight Lieder and Gesänge

Eight Lieder and Gesänge

Nine Lieder and Gesänge

Nine Gesänge

Four Gesänge

Five Gesänge

Five Gesänge

Five Romanzen and Lieder for One or Two Voices

Six Lieder

Six Lieder for Low Voice

Two Gesänge for Alto Voice with Viola

Five Lieder for Low Voice

Seven Lieder

Four Lieder

Six Lieder

Eight Zigeunerlieder for Solo Voice

Five Lieder for Low Voice

Five Lieder

Five Lieder

Four Ernste Gesänge

Mondnacht, Wo0 21

Regenlied, Wo0 posth. 23

Poets and Translators

Settings of Folksong Texts

Selected Bibliography

Index of Titles and First Lines