The Complete Liebeslieder and Zigeunerlieder: For Four Solo Voices and Piano Accompaniment (Paperback)

by Johannes Brahms (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In the second half of the 19th century, when every middle-class household had both a piano in the parlor and at least one person who could play the instrument with some degree of competence, musical evenings in the home were a favored means of entertainment. Accordingly, composers wrote works to accommodate these talented amateurs. Much of the chamber music we now gather to hear in concerts and recitals was not originally aimed at professional performers at all, but at people who picked it up and played it just for fun. Music for piano (solo or four hands) was the most popular form, but vocal music was also a steady seller. Brahms wrote the songs collected in this book, including the "Love Song Waltzes" and "Gypsy Songs," for that audience. The compositions are lovely, singable, and thoroughly Viennese. Gypsy music is a thread that runs through Brahms's compositions; the Liebeslieder texts come from a variety of sources, mostly Slavic. The songs can be done either by a four-part chorus, or by a solo quartet, and they work equally well either way. This Dover score, unlike the company's issues of full scores of operas, is readily singable and playable, because the songs were written for four-hand piano accompaniment, not orchestra. Dover scores don't offer the latest in musicological scholarship, but they are an easy and affordable way to build a music library.

Product Description
Treasury of delightful solo vocal quartets: Liebeslieder, Op. 52, 18 songs for vocal quartet (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) and piano four hands; Neue Liebeslieder, Op. 65, 14 songs and a closing piece for the same ensemble; and Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103, 11 songs for vocal quartet and piano (one player). New English translations of song texts. Breitkopf & Härtel edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486294102
• ISBN-13: 978-0486294100
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,235,340 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Singing Material, July 11, 2000

By	Michael Paz (Cumberland, RI) - See all my reviews

Having sung some of these personally, I found this book to be easy to read, easy to transport, and very easy to use in general. I highly recommend this volume to anyone who sings and likes Brahms...you won't be dissapointed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for price, May 7, 2009

By	NM Singer "Andrea" (Albuquerque, Nm United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this because I'm singing the Liebeslieder in June. It was one of the cheapest options and I am quite satisfied.

Soprano and tenor have libretti underneath notes; alto and bass are blank; it does take some getting used to, but easy to follow once your eye is trained.

There are repeats on almost every song of the Liebeslieder and page transitions are pretty good.

I do like that both Liebeslieder and Zigeunerlieder are printed in this edition and also that poetic translation is separate from music in its own index. This is especially helpful for those of us who like to know exactly what we're singing at all times.

Shipment came in on time.