Lecture Notes: The Power and Paradox of Song, Romantic Lied, and Chopin's Piano Music

Introduction to Song and Its Expressive Potential

• Songs can be perceived differently when sung versus spoken.
• Music adds a layer of intensity and emotional expression to the words.
• Various musical elements such as melody, texture, and timbre contribute to a song's emotional expression.
• Awareness of different treatments of text and music can enhance understanding of a song's expressive potential.

Romantic Song Structures

• Typical forms include strophic (same melody repeated) and through-composed (continuous, non-repetitive music).
• Modified strophic form combines elements of both, allowing some repetition with new material introduced.

The German Lied

• Lied (plural: Lieder): German-texted solo song with piano accompaniment.
• Popular during the Romantic era with themes of love and nature.
• Notable composers: Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Clara Wieck Schumann.
• Prominent poets: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine.

Franz Schubert and His Contribution to Lied

• Composed over 600 Lieder and two major song cycles.
• Known for integrating text and melody to enhance the poetry's meaning.
• Famous works: "Elf-King" (Erkönig), "Die Forelle," and song cycles "Die schöne Müllerin" and "Winterreise."
• Schubert’s music bridges the Classical and Romantic eras with clear forms and romantic expression in his songs.

Chopin and the Romantic Piano

• Frédéric Chopin focused his entire creative output on the piano, developing a modern piano style.
• Known for works such as études, nocturnes, preludes, mazurkas, polonaises, and piano sonatas.
• Rubato technique: "robbed time" allowing expressive freedom in tempo.
• The "Revolutionary Étude" reflects Chopin’s emotional response to political events in Poland.

The Nineteenth-Century Piano

• Technical improvements led to the modern concert grand piano.
• The piano became central to musical culture, accessible to both amateurs and professionals.
• Virtuoso pianists emerged, showcasing compositions by others.
• The piano allowed for both polyphonic and homophonic textures.

Chopin’s Impact and Major Works

• Revolutionized études into concert repertoire pieces.
• His works express deep emotional and national sentiments (e.g., Revolutionary Étude).
• Chopin’s music remains central to piano repertory, celebrated for its expression and technical demands.

These notes provide an overview of the key themes discussed in the lecture, highlighting the intricate relationship between text and music, the development of the Lied, and the influence of Chopin on piano music during the Romantic era.