The Songs of Hans Pfitzner: A Guide and Study

by Richard Mercier

Overview

Mercier examines the 107 songs Hans Pfitzner wrote for voice and piano. This work provides IPA pronunciation symbols, translations into English, and brief biographies of the poets associated with Pfitzner's songs. Although not as famous as his contemporaries Hugo Wolf, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss, Pfitzner created a number of fine songs and here receives the critical attention he deserves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313305337
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/21/1998
Series:	Music Reference Collection
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

RICHARD MERCIER is staff accompanist at the California State University, Hayward. He has performed in recitals in America and abroad and has also served as assistant conductor with the Central City Opera and the Opera Theater of Connecticut. Presently, he is a pianist and vocal coach in the San Francisco area. He holds a doctorate in music from the Manhatten School of Music.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations and Symbols
Introduction
Pfitzner and the Lied
Pfitzner and the Poets
The Songs
Chart of Song Features, Arranged by Opus
Chart of Songs, Arranged by Poet
Brief Poet Biographies
Index

Editorial Reviews

Songs written for voice and piano are examined with the help of musical examples through an overview of their harmonic content and the relationship of poetry to the music. After chapters on Pfitzner and the Lied and Pfitzner and the poets, songs are examined individually with regard to specific performance-related details such as key, vocal range, and tempo marking. Songs are translated into English, and a prose version of the text for each song is offered. Appendices contain a chart of specific harmonic functions in each song, a list of songs alphabetically by poet, and brief poet biographies. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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