Minnesang

Minnesang was the tradition of lyric and song writing in Germany which flourished in the 12th century and continued into the 14th century. People who wrote and performed Minnesang are known as Minnesingers (Minnes?nger).

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Minnesang had much in common with the troubadour tradition of France, and it likely stemmed from that tradition, though it developed unique features. Like the troubadors, the Minnesingers mainly sang of courtly love (this is where the Minne part of their name comes from).

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Several of the best known Minnesingers are also noted for their epic poetry, among them Henric van Veldeke, Wolfram von Eschenbach and Hartmann von Aue. Other noted Minnesingers include Dietmar von Aist, Neidhart von Reuental, Heinrich von Morungen, and Walther von der Vogelweide.

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A number of Minnelied melodies have survived to the present day, although mainly in manuscripts dating from the 15th century or later, which may present the songs in a form other than the original one. Additionally, it is often rather difficult to interpret the musical notation used to write them down. Although the contour of the melody can usually be made out, the rhythm of the song is frequently hard to fathom.

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In the 15th century Minnesang developed into and gave way to the tradition of the singer/">Meistersingers. The two traditions are quite different, however (Minnesingers were mainly aristocrats, while Meistersingers were merchants, for example).

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At least two operas have been written about the Minnesang tradition: Richard Wagner's Tannh?user and Richard Strauss' Guntram.

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Song: :For other senses of this word, see song (disambiguation)....

12th century: As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages....

14th century: As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400....