Great masters of lieder from Beethoven to Richard Strauss are represented among 48 songs that have been chosen for their appeal to young singers. Musical excerpts studied in Gateway to German Diction appear as complete scores. The 48 lieder contained here are only a sampling of the wonderful world of German art songs. We hope that this book is a Gateway to German Liederin the sense of giving access to a realm of imagination and expression created by some of the greatest composers ever known. This book brings together various kinds of information that would other wise require research in various books. The commentary pages that precede the songs will help the singer especially with the preparatory steps that should precede actual singing: translating the text, analyzing its meaning, reciting it with correct and expressive diction, and researching the relevant historical background. The goal is artistic communication with an audience, based on the singer's clear understanding of the message and meaning of the song. German tempo and style markings are translated on the pages where they are used. Tempos in Romantic style are never absolute and never metro- nomic, but metronome markings are provided as a starting point. |
