Schumann's Opus 39 "Liederkreis": The story of an engagement

The objective of this thesis is twofold: (1) to confirm Robert Schumann's selection of the twelve poems by Josef von Eichendorff for Schumann's own purposes in the song cycle entitled Eichendorff Liederkreis opus 39; and (2) to establish a theme or story line in the final order of the poems. ^ The methodology employed first a research into the biography of Josef von Eichendorff, including an understanding of his use of poetic images that represented Catholicism and nostalgia for his privileged childhood, and a contrast with Robert Schumann's biography and his very different motivations during his song year (Liederjahr) of 1840: love and his traumatic 1835–1840 engagement to Clara Wieck. The songs were then analyzed as a collection and as pairs, both musically and with regard to textual meaning. Finally, the events of the Schumann/Wieck engagement were weighed against the twelve song texts. ^ The results of the findings confirm the likely existence of a theme for the Liederkreis, which is Robert Schumann's 4-1/2 year engagement to Clara Wieck. ^

A recital of selected repertoire for the mezzo-soprano voice

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Buss und Reu, St Matthew Passion Es ist vollbracht, St John Passion FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN O luna lucente, Il Mondo della luna ROBERT SCHUMANN Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart Abschied von Frankreich Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes An die Königin Elisabeth Abschied von der Welt Gebet STEFAN WOLPE Simeini kahotam al libeha, Two Songs for Alto and Piano SRUL IRVING GLICK "...i never saw another butterfly... " To Olga Yes, That's The Way Things Are The Little Mouse On A Sunny Evening Narrative The Butterfly LEILA LUSTIG Wretched Highway WILLIAM BOLCOM The Actor George