| To: vocalist Subject: RE: Brahms "Four Serious Songs" Date sent: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 10:05:03 -0500 Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Jeff, Thank you for your helpful information on the "Vier Ernste Gesaenge."
I have one last question. In the second song, "contralto edition", there is one place where there are optional notes. I assume Brahms originally wanted the higher notes?
Thanks, Bill Alley Baritone Boston, MA email:balley-at-mcp.edu
-----Original Message----- From: Jeffrey Snider [mailto:bmoc_unt-at-iwon.com] Sent: Friday, January 07, 2000 8:52 AM To: VOCALIST Subject: RE: Brahms "Four Serious Songs"
The "Vier Ernste Gesa"nge" were originally composed for baritone voice. They ARE available in even lower keys. The "contralto version" is OK as long as the keys are the same. The International Music Company edition of Brahms songs has them in the "low" volume. They are also in the Dover edition (volume four, I believe.)
The original keys are:
I-d minor II-g minor/g major III-e minor/E major IV-E-flat major
Also, note that the first two texts are from Ecclesiates. The third song is NOT from Ecclesiastes (as listed in Carol Kimball's book, among other places) but rather from "Ecclesiasticus" (or Jesus Sirach) which is from the books that make up the "Apochrypha" which may be found in Catholic bibles. The last song, of course, is from the "Love Chapter" of 1st Corinthians (13).
And yes, they are great songs.
Jeffrey Snider, DMA Chair, Division of Vocal Studies College of Music University of North Texas Denton, TX USA ............................................................................ ..... iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you? ............................................................................ .....
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