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18 Aug 03 - 03:38 PM (#1004183) Subject: What's a song cycle? From: Marion Hello all. I sometimes across the term "song cycle" on Mudcat and elsewhere. Does it have a technical meaning? I gather from the context that it's a collection of songs on the same theme, by the same songwriter - or is there more to the definition than that? (Or perhaps, less to the definition: is a song cycle necessarily all one person's work?) Do you write song cycles? Marion |
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18 Aug 03 - 04:17 PM (#1004198) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: GUEST,Q I have heard it applied to all of those- related songs by one composer, I believe, was the original meaning. Examples: Sir Arnold Bax, "A Celtic Song Cycle." (One I have and enjoy). A dictionary definition: A group of songs, unified musically or textualy. It was popular with Germans and those who copied the idea, so the word lieder may be added to the above. The German word is Liederkreis, used by Schumann. |
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18 Aug 03 - 04:27 PM (#1004201) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: GUEST,Q The Grove Dictionary of music and musicians is more pedantic: A composite form of vocal music consisting of a group of individually complete songs for solo or ensemble voices, with or without instrumental accompaniment.may relate a series of events, or a series of impressions, or may simply be a goup of songs unified by mood. The texts may be by a single author or from different sources. Liederzyklus, sangsyklus, etc., depending on language. Some song cycles are songs without words, just the related tunes. |
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18 Aug 03 - 07:25 PM (#1004285) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: Leadfingers I dont read music but I can ride a bike. |
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18 Aug 03 - 11:58 PM (#1004410) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: GUEST,leeneia I don't think it's a song cycle unless you sing while riding your bike. Can you? |
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19 Aug 03 - 12:25 AM (#1004421) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: Benjamin It's been pretty well defined by some above posts. It was a very popular form in Germany during the romantic period. In my opinion, Shubert wrote the best of them. Mahler's Das Lied Von Der Erde is a great combination of a combined symphony and song cycle. |
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19 Aug 03 - 04:57 AM (#1004487) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: GUEST,BDog Hi Leadfins, I'm capable of dropping off, doing either! Brian |
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19 Aug 03 - 05:07 AM (#1004490) Subject: RE: What's a song cycle? From: fogie There was a good example of one in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid. You'll remember the song Raindrops keep falling on my head ;-) |