GCSE Music 

Romantic Song (Lieder).

What? A Lied is a song for solo singer and piano

Where? Vienna, Austria & Germany

When? Romantic Period (1820 - 1900)

Who? Schumann, Schubert.

Structure - Through composed (each verse is different). Strophic - All the verses have the same tune.

Song cycles - A collection of lieder.

Instruments - Piano and Solo Voice - Male (Tenor, Bass or Baritone) or less frequently Female (soprano, contralto)

How the instruments interact

Piano and voice can have equal importance. The piano often introduces melodic ideas or motives.

There can be call and response or imitation between piano and voice.

Word painting is common describing the mood or subject.

Venue / Location Private houses / Today in concert halls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AoS2 Lieder - Traded Tips

 

Tempo - Dramatic - Fast but also Slow and Romantic.

Rhythm - Piano provides rhythmic support to the soloist.

Articulation - Can be heavily accented but also smooth and legato.

Dynamics - Wide range of dynamics depending on the mood of the text.

Expression - Very expressive - extremes of love, drama, death etc.

Devices - Imitation, word painting.

 

Texture - Melody and accompaniment.

Instruments - Piano and solo voice. Male voice. Female less common.

Pitch - Bass, Baritone or Tenor Male voices common.

Structure - Strophic (Verse, Verse, Verse) or Through Composed. Song                              Cycles popular.

 

Other...Schumann and Schubert. Sung in German. Rooms of Wealthy.