Abstract:
Just as every professional opera singer and actor needs a systematic approach to the study and development of a valid role portrayal, the singer of art songs needs to develop an approach to a valid interpretation of his repertoire. Using Schwanengesang as the vehicle, this study designs an approach that is applicable not only to all of the 634 Schubert songs, but to art songs of any composer. Through an investigation of historical, biographical and critical sources, it provides a general understanding of Schubert as a Lieder composer; a knowledge of the forces that shaped his art; a general characterization of his song style; and a knowledge of performance practice in the songs during Schubert’s lifetime and today.