DOC Singing Schumann: An Interpretive Guide for Performers by Richard Miller in Arts-Photography

Description

Singing Schumann is likely to become the standard introduction to some of the best-loved songs in the singers repertoire. Written by a distinguished performer and internationally known teacher; the book offers astute; practical advice for bringing Robert Schumanns Lieder to life in performance. Richard Miller guides the reader through the interpretation of all of Schumanns solo and duet songs; drawing thoroughly on Schumanns compositional style and its historical background. In addition to covering the "familiar forty"--the much-performed songs Schumann composed in and around 1840 while trying to win the hand of Clara Wieck--Miller takes an in-depth look at the lesser known early and later songs. In particular; he focuses on the rich and varied repertoire of Schumanns later years; challenging the conventional view that these works reflect a decline in the composers creative powers. Singing Schumann begins with an overview of Schumann as a song composer and then proceeds to survey the entire repertoire; song by song. It features the well-known cycles; including the Eichendorff Liederkreis; Frauenliebe und -leben; and Dichterliebe; as well as the Liederalbum fuuml;r die Jugend and settings of texts by Goethe; Burns; Ruuml;ckert; and Kulmann. Using numerous musical examples; Miller uncovers Schumanns characteristic compositional devices and describes his novel and experimental approaches to the interpretation of texts; often achieved through exceptionally colorful keyboard accompaniments. Musically sensitive and eminently readable; Singing Schumann is an invaluable guide for teachers; coaches; pianists; and singers.