What is an Art Song?

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 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.

Folk Songs

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 SONGSsung 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 SONGSArt 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)

Franz Schubert Robert Schumann Charles Camille Saint-Saëns

Clara Schumann

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.

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?