Brahms: Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103

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Description

The song cycle Zigeunerlieder (Gypsy Songs) by Johannes Brahms consists of eleven settings of Hungarian folk songs in a German adaptation by Hugo Conrat, which, according to the composer, "could be understood to form a novel-like structure." Four more of these were later published as part of the Six Quartets, Op. 112 (ChB 16000). The cycle originated in a relatively short time in February 1888 and went into print in October 1888, as the editor of the respective volume of the new Brahms complete edition is explaining in detail in the preface.

In a way, the Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103 form the exotic counterpart of the Liebeslieder (Love Songs), Op. 52 and, Op. 65 and the vocal counterpart of the Hungarian Dances. Although Brahms had conceived them for vocal quartets in domestic use, public performances with choirs already happened during his lifetime. This tradition continues until today, taking advantage of modern grand pianos with a larger volume to enable a larger choral scoring.

1. He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten ein
2. Hochgetürmte Rimaflut, wie bist du so trüb'
3. Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen am allerschönsten ist?
4. Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft bereut ich hab'
5. Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
6. Röslein dreie in der Reihe blüh'n so rot
7. Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn, mein süßes Lieb
8. Horch, der Wind klagt in den Zweigen traurig sacht
9. Weit and breit schaut Niemand mich an
10. Mond verhüllt sein Angesicht
11. Rote Abendwolken zieh'n am Firmament