Brahms, Opus 32: The Forgotten Cycles

Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Twilight and Grand Ballrooms

A song cycle may be loosely defined as a set of works for solo voice and piano intended for performance as a whole, and in a predetermined order. Established by such composers as Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann, cycles are typically characterized by a deliberate structure, the texts of which are almost without exception by the same author. So conventional is the practice of containing the settings of a single poet, it may be considered a prerequisite. Song cycles are also distinguished, therefore, by one or more unifying elements originating in the poetry, such as literary themes or narration. It is thus inherent that a composer takes a deliberate approach to writing a cycle, both in his selection and setting of the texts. The result is a cohesive musical form with an obvious structure dependent on the aforementioned elements, the musical expression of which is influenced by the text.