''Frauen-Liebe und Leben'' (''A Woman's Love and Life'') is a cycle of poems by

Adelbert von Chamisso Adelbert von Chamisso (; 30 January 1781 – 21 August 1838) was a German poet, writer and botanist. He was commonly known in French as Adelbert de Chamisso (or Chamissot) de Boncourt, a name referring to the family estate at Boncourt. Life ...

, written in 1830. They describe the course of a woman's love for her man, from her point of view, from first meeting through marriage to his death, and after. Selections were set to music as a song-cycle by masters of German Lied, namely

Carl Loewe Johann Carl Gottfried Loewe (; 30 November 1796 – 20 April 1869), usually called Carl Loewe (sometimes seen as Karl Loewe), was a German composer, tenor singer and conductor. In his lifetime, his songs ("Balladen") were well enough known for ...

(1836),

Franz Lachner Franz Paul Lachner (2 April 180320 January 1890) was a German composer and conductor. Biography Lachner was born in Rain am Lech to a musical family (his brothers Ignaz, and Vinzenz also became musicians). He studied music with Simon Sec ...

(c1839), and

Robert Schumann Robert Schumann (; ; 8 June 181029 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the early Romantic music, Romantic era. He composed in all the main musical genres of the time, writing for solo piano, voice and piano, chamber ...

(1840). The setting by Schumann (his

opus Opus (: opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera ...

42) is now the most widely known.

Chamisso's poems

There are nine lyrics in the cycle, to which Chamisso gave the title ''Frauen-Liebe und Leben''. It was first published in 1830, and twice in 1831 in the first editions of his poetry, and of his complete works. Schumann in his cycle did not set the final stanza of No. 2 ('Er, der Herrlichste von allen') with its sudden change of mood. He also left out the last poem, No. 9 'Traum der eignen Tage', which is addressed to the now aged protagonist's granddaughter ("''Tochter meiner Tochter''"). Loewe set all nine poems in full, although only the first seven were published together.

Nomenclature

The original published titles of the poem-cycle and the song-cycles are: * Chamisso (1830): ''Frauen-Liebe und Leben'' * Loewe (1836): ''Frauenliebe'' * Lachner (c1839): ''Frauenliebe und -leben'' * Schumann (1840): ''Frauenliebe und Leben'' The Schumann work has been edited and published several times since 1840, and all the current reliable music publishers still use the original 1840 published title, ''Frauenliebe und Leben'', as do a majority of secondary sources discussing Schumann's song cycle.See this article's talk page. However, ''Frauenliebe und -leben'' has been used in a minority (approximately one third) of recently published secondary sources, and also on some LP and CD covers. This latter spelling is a 'correct' style of written German using the (i.e. suspended or hanging dash in a list of things), although it does not accurately reflect the work's published title.

Schumann's setting

Schumann composed his setting ''Frauenliebe und Leben'', Op. 42, in 1840, his "year of song" in which he wrote numerous

lieder In the Western classical music tradition, ( , ; , ; ) is a term for setting poetry to classical music. The term is used for any kind of song in contemporary German and Dutch, but among English and French speakers, is often used interchangea ...

and three other complete song cycles: ''Liederkreis'', Op. 24, ''Liederkreis'', Op. 39 and '' Dichterliebe'', Op. 48. There are eight poems in his cycle, together telling a story from the protagonist's first meeting her love, through their marriage, to his death. They are: #'Seit ich ihn gesehen' ("Since I saw him") #'Er, der Herrlichste von allen' ("He, the noblest of all") #'Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben' ("I cannot grasp or believe it") #'Du Ring an meinem Finger' ("You ring upon my finger") #'Helft mir, ihr Schwestern' ("Help me, sisters") #'Süßer Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an' ("Sweet friend, you gaze") #'An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust' ("At my heart, at my breast") #'Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan' ("Now you have caused me pain for the first time") Schumann's choice of text was very probably inspired in part by events in his personal life. He had been courting

Clara Wieck Clara Josephine Schumann (; ; née Wieck; 13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896) was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher. Regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era, she exerted her influence over the course o ...

, but had failed to get her father's permission to marry her. In 1840, after a legal battle to make such permission unnecessary, he finally married her. The songs in this cycle are notable for the fact that the piano has a remarkable independence from the voice. Breaking away from the Schubertian ideal, Schumann has the piano contain the mood of the song in its totality. Another notable characteristic is the cycle's circular structure, in which the last movement repeats the theme of the first. The composer's initial MS sketches, dated 11 July 1840, are still extant. They mostly outline the voice part on single staves, with just a few bars of piano postlude at the very end of No. 8.

Recordings

There have been many recordings of Schumann's setting. Possibly the first was that of * Julia Culp, with Otto Bake at the piano, for

Odeon Records Odeon Records is a record label founded in 1903 by Max Straus and Heinrich Zuntz of the International Talking Machine Company in Berlin, Germany. The label's name and logo come from the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe in Paris. History Straus a ...

in Berlin in 1909: she later recorded it a second time. During the 1930s the principal versions were those of *

Lotte Lehmann Charlotte "Lotte" Pauline Sophie Lehmann (February 27, 1888 – August 26, 1976) was a German-American dramatic soprano noted for her successful performances with international opera houses, on the recital stage and in teaching.She gave memorable ...

(with salon orchestra accompaniment) (Parlophone-Odeon), * Germaine Martinelli accompanied by Jean Doyen in French, (

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

), and * Emmy Bettendorf made a

Parlophone Records Parlophone Records Limited (also known as Parlophone Records and Parlophone) is a record label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch of the label was founded on 8 August 1923 as the Parloph ...

set omitting two titles. *Lotte Lehmann made a later (wartime) recording with

Bruno Walter Bruno Walter (born Bruno Schlesinger, September 15, 1876February 17, 1962) was a Germany, German-born Conducting, conductor, pianist, and composer. Born in Berlin, he escaped Nazi Germany in 1933, was naturalised as a French people, French cit ...

at the piano (issued on LP by

Philips Records Philips Records is a record label founded by Netherlands, Dutch electronics company Philips and in 1999 was absorbed into Netherlands, Dutch-United States, American music corporation Universal Music Group. It was founded as Philips Phonograph ...

as Minigroove ABL 3166). * Elena Gerhardt made a recording with

Gerald Moore Gerald Moore (30 July 1899 – 13 March 1987) was an English classical pianist best known for his career as a collaborative pianist for many distinguished musicians. Among those with whom he was closely associated were Dietrich Fischer-Diesk ...

in 1947–1948, which was privately published on White Label

His Master's Voice His Master's Voice is an entertainment trademark featuring a dog named Nipper, curiously peering into the horn of a wind-up gramophone. Painted by Francis Barraud in 1898, the image has since become a global symbol used across consumer elect ...

, six sides, 12", 78rpm. Recordings by * Astra Desmond (

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label * Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, musical theater record label * Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...

78rpm AK 1566–68) (with Phyllis Spurr, piano) and by * Elisabeth Schumann with

. (

) are noticed in 1951. *

Kathleen Ferrier Kathleen Mary Ferrier (22 April 19128 October 1953) was an English contralto singer who achieved an international reputation as a stage, concert and recording artist, with a repertoire extending from folksong and popular ballads to the class ...

's version with John Newmark was issued on Decca Medium Play LW 5089. *Kathleen Ferrier's live recording with

at the

Edinburgh Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of Arts festival, arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the ...

1949, broadcast by the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

and released in 1986 on Decca 414 611-1 *

Christa Ludwig Christa Ludwig (16 March 1928 – 24 April 2021) was a German mezzo-soprano and sometime dramatic soprano, distinguished for her performances of opera, lieder, oratorio, and other major religious works like masses, passions, and solos in symph ...

, accompanied by

, recorded in 1959 on EMI. *Lillian 'Windsor' Winzig, recorded performance at Carnegie Hall, February 19, 1954. * Kirsten Flagstad, accompanied by Edwin McArthur appeared on

ALP 1191 by 1955. * Erna Berger, accompanied by Scherzer (

ALP 1587) issued 1958. *

Irmgard Seefried Irmgard Seefried (9 October 191924 November 1988) was a distinguished German soprano who sang opera, sacred music, and lieder. Maria Theresia Irmgard Seefried was born in , near Mindelheim, Bavaria, Germany, the daughter of educated Austri ...

, accompanied by Erik Werba (Deutsche-Grammophon LPEM 19112) rec. 1957. *

Leontyne Price Leontyne Price ( born Mary Violet Leontine Price February 10, 1927) is an American spinto soprano who was the first African-American soprano to receive international acclaim. From 1961 she began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera. ...

, accompanied by David Garvey, issued 1970, on RCA LSC-3169 *

Edith Mathis Edith Mathis (; 11 February 19389 February 2025) was a Swiss soprano known for her roles in List of operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mozart's operas. Early in her career, Cherubino in ''Le nozze di Figaro'' was her signature role that she perf ...

, accompanied by

Christoph Eschenbach Christoph Eschenbach (; born 20 February 1940) is a German pianist and conductor. Early life Eschenbach was born on 20 February 1940 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland) as Christoph Ringmann. His parents were Margarethe (née Jaross), a ...

, issued 1981, on DGG LP 2562 400 in set 2740 266. These recordings are listed on CD in 1996: *

Janet Baker Dame Janet Abbott Baker (born 21 August 1933) is an English mezzo-soprano best known as an opera, concert, and lieder singer.Blyth, Alan, "Baker, Dame Janet (Abbott)" in Sadie, Stanley, ed.; John Tyrell; exec. ed. (2001). ''New Grove Dictionar ...

with Martin Isepp (Saga CD EC 3361-2), 1960s. *Janet Baker with

Daniel Barenboim Daniel Moses Barenboim (; born 15 November 1942) is an Argentines, Argentine-Israeli classical pianist and conductor based in Berlin, who also has Spain, Spanish and State of Palestine, Palestinian citizenship. From 1992 until January 2023, Bare ...

(

LP ASD 3217), issued 1976. *

Brigitte Fassbaender Brigitte Fassbaender (; born 3 July 1939), is a German mezzo-soprano opera singer and a stage director. From 1999 to 2012 she was Theater manager, intendant (managing director) of the Tyrolean State Theatre in Innsbruck, Austria. She holds the ti ...

accompanied by Irwin Gage. (DG 439 417-2). *

Anne Sofie von Otter Anne Sofie von Otter (born 9 May 1955) is a Swedish mezzo-soprano. Her repertoire encompasses lieder, operas, oratorios and also rock and pop songs. Early life Von Otter was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Her father was Göran von Otter, a Swedi ...

with Bengt Forsberg. (DG DIG 445 881-2). * Sarah Connolly with Eugene Asti. (Chandos B001FENY80). *

Elīna Garanča Elīna Garanča (born 16 September 1976) is a Latvian mezzo-soprano. She began to study singing in her hometown of Riga in 1996 and continued her studies in Vienna and in the United States. By 1999 she had won first place in the Mirjam Helin Sing ...

with Malcolm Martineau. (DG 483 9210), November 2020.

Loewe's setting

's ''Frauenliebe'', for mezzo-soprano and piano, was published as his opus 60 in 1836. He called it a Liederkranz ('wreath r garlandof songs'), rather than a Liederkreis ('song-cycle'). Although Loewe set all nine of Chamisso's poems in September 1836, only the first seven were published together during his lifetime. No. 9, 'Traum der eignen Tage', was published separately in 1869, and No. 8 remained in MS until 1904 when it was included in the

Breitkopf & Härtel Breitkopf & Härtel () is a German Music publisher, music publishing house. Founded in 1719 in Leipzig by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf, it is the world's oldest music publisher. Overview The catalogue contains over 1,000 composers, 8,000 works ...

complete edition of his works.

Recordings

, mezzo-soprano; Cord Garben, piano (DGG DG 423 680-2) *Callista Huffman, mezzo-soprano; Giorgi Latsabidze, piano (USC NCH 511-10)

Lachner's setting

Moritz von Schwind - Schubert mit Freunden beim Heurigen

(1803–1890) made a setting entitled ''Frauenliebe und -leben'' for soprano, horn (or cello) and piano as his Op. 59 (c1839); he made another arrangement for soprano, clarinet and piano, published in 1847 as his Op. 82. Like

Schubert Franz Peter Schubert (; ; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical period (music), Classical and early Romantic music, Romantic eras. Despite his short life, Schubert left behind a List of compositions ...

's ''Auf dem Strom'', D. 943, it is part of the small repertoire of solo vocal music ensemble with horn. Lachner's youngest brother, Vincenz Lachner, wrote a song 'Waldhornruf' (Hunting horn call') for tenor, horn and piano.Lachner, Vincenz
Waldhornruf
Badische Landes-bibliothek (BLB) (in German). Retrieved 1 September 2017.

Recordings

* Evelyn Tubb (soprano), Lesley Schatzberger (clarinet), Richard Burnett (fortepiano) – Classicprint CPV005CD. *Aríon Trio (Andrea Weigt, soprano; Stefan Henke, horn; Rainer Gepp, piano), Antes Edition BM CD 31.9120.

Notes

External links

*
Texts of the Schumann cycle
lieder.net * Loewe's ''Frauenliebe'' is contained in his complete

lieder.net
Chamisso's autograph MS of No. 4
plus covers of two early Schumann editions {{Authority control Song cycles by Robert Schumann Compositions by Franz Lachner Compositions by Carl Loewe 1840 compositions Classical song cycles in German Works by Adelbert von Chamisso

Chamisso's poems

Nomenclature

Schumann's setting

Recordings

Loewe's setting

Recordings

Lachner's setting

Recordings

Notes

Further reading

External links