The Songs of Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann's songs have enduring appeal for performers and audiences, and were influential in the history of art song. This first book-length study of Schumann's distinctive contributions to the genre will enable scholars and music-lovers to more fully appreciate the music of Schumann and other women composers.

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Focusing on Clara Schumann's central contributions to the genre of the Lied (or German art song), this is the first book-length critical study of her songs. Although relatively few in number, they were published and reviewed favorably in the press during her lifetime, and they continue to be programmed regularly in recitals by professional and amateur performers alike. Highlighting the powerful and distinctive features of the songs, the book treats them as a prism, casting light not just on them but also through them to explore questions that foster a deeper understanding of the work of female composers. The author argues for the importance of taking Clara Schumann's music on its own terms, the intimate relationship between text and musical form, and the vital role of musical analysis in recuperating the contributions of previously understudied composers.