Page 200 - ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC

love you eternally.” Today Clara and Robert rest side by side in a small cemetery in Bonn, Germany, two souls exemplifying the spirit of the Romantic age.
“Liebst du um Schönheit” (1841)
Composed a year after her wedding, “Liebst du um Schönheit” (“If You Love for Beauty”) sets to music a four-stanza love poem by German Romantic poet Joseph Eichendorff (1788–1857). In this wistful, playful text, the poet states three reasons (stanzas 1–3) why the lady should not be loved—not for beauty, youth, or money (all three of which Clara actually possessed)—but one (last stanza) for which she should be loved—for love alone (see Listening Cue).
Although the melody and accompaniment presented in the first strophe generally prevail in the subsequent ones, Clara Schumann employs here what is called modified strophic form; the music changes slightly from one stanza to the next and thus can be represented as AA’A’’A’’’.
Example 11.8 shows the melody of strophe 1 and how it is modified in strophe 2. The ever-evolving music gives this art song its remarkable freshness. Did Clara sell herself short when she declared that “a woman must not desire to compose”? You be the judge.
Example 11.8 > strophe 2 modifies strophe 1
Listening Cue
Clara Schumann, “Liebst du um Schönheit” (1841)
Genre: Art song
Form: Modified strophic
Download 34
what to listen for: The ever-so-slight changes in the vocal line and accompaniment from one stanza to the next; the musical freshness and sparkle that can perhaps be created only by a young person in love
reAD . . . a detailed Listening Guide of this selection online. LiSTeN TO . . . this selection streaming online.
WATCH . . . an Active Listening Guide of this selection online.
178 chapter eleven romanticism and romantic chamber music
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