Lied

Lied (plural Lieder) is a German word, literally meaning "song"; among English speakers, however, it is used primarily as a term for European classical music songs, also known as "art songs". Typically, Lieder are arranged for a single singer and piano. Sometimes Lieder are gathered in a Liederkreis or "song cycle" — a series of songs tied by a single narrative or theme. The composers Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann are most closely associated with this genre of classical music.

Other national traditions

The Lied tradition is closely linked with the actual sound of the German language. But there are parallels elsewhere noticeably in France, with the melodies of such composers as Faure, Debussy and Francis Poulenc, and in Russia, with the songs of Mussorgsky in particular. England too had a flowering of song in the 20th century represented by Vaughan Williams and Britten.

Related Topics:
German language - France - Faure - Debussy - Francis Poulenc - Russia - Mussorgsky - England - 20th century - Vaughan Williams - Britten

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