Schubert Songs for soprano: PART III

Exploring the Beauty of Schubert’s Music for Sopranos

Franz Schubert’s music is renowned for its unparalleled beauty and immense rewards, especially when it comes to vocal performances. For sopranos, though, there lies a dilemma that deserves exploration.

A Soprano’s Schubert Challenge

Picture this: you excitedly open up the first volume of the 200 Schubert Songs anthology, specifically curated for high voices, only to be greeted by two monumental and widely recognized song cycles – Die Schöne Müllerin and Winterreise. The twist? These cycles were originally crafted with male voices in mind.

Uncovering the Origins

The reason behind this conundrum can be traced back to Franz Schubert’s close association with Johann Michael Vogl, an aging yet extraordinarily expressive baritone. Remarkably, Schubert composed these iconic song cycles specifically for Vogl’s voice. Consequently, even when transposed to a higher key, these songs lean towards a more suitable range for male voices.

Embracing Soprano lirico leggero

Luckily, there are many fine Schubert songs for soprano voice. Here, we are focusing on those songs which are particularly useful for light, high soprano voice (lirico leggero).

Crafting a Schubert Lieder Program–for Sopranos!

Let’s look at a possible program of Schubert Lieder for soprano lirico leggero. You might be surprised at what you find!

PROGRAM: PART III

Die Männer sind méchant!, D 866
Geheimes, D. 719
Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D. 774
Nacht und Träume, D 827
An die Musik, D. 547
Ständchen, D. 889
Ave Maria, D. 839

Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D. 965
(with clarinet)

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Die Männer sind méchant!, D 866

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Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Geheimes

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Auf dem Wasser zu singen

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Nacht und Träume, D 827

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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An die Musik

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Ständchen

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Ave Maria

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY:

FULL PERFORMANCE:

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Der Hirt auf dem Felsen

(Click here to go to top.)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY: [Alas! no real clarinet. That part is played by pianist, but okay for rehearsal]

FULL PERFORMANCE: