German Lieder in Modern Australia: Practice and Perception

Abstract

German Romantic Art Songs , also known as German Lieder , are arguably amongst the most precious contributions of the German speaking sphere to the world of art. Epitomizing a much loved and enduring, yet completely non-political aspect of German culture, Lieder are calmly insistent ambassadors for a transnational understanding across time. Though encompassing works from the late eighteenth through well into the middle of the twentieth century, the genre is most closely associated with German Romanticism in the nineteenth century. Considering that Lieder represent a bygone era and that, for the non-German speaker, the language constitutes an seemingly insurmountable barrier, the genre’s universal presence and timeless appeal is certainly remarkable. In Australia, Lieder are an integral, albeit modest, part of teaching and examination syllabi and make regular appearances on recital programs. The Lieder Society of Victoria is unique amongst other Australian musical associations for its specialized focus on art songs and Lieder and hosts regular recitals and a prestigious singing competition, the National Liederfest. This paper summarizes the characteristics of the Lieder genre, reports of its continued presence in modern Australia in the new century by drawing on a survey at the thirtieth National Liederfest in 2011 and offers some unique insights into the perception of the German Romantic Art Song in a country and time so very different from the world of Schubert and Goethe.