Spring has Sprung! Music for solo piano and voice

Holde Frühlingszeit (Springtime) by Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787), text: L. Hensel
Wiegenlied (Lullaby)  by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz (1747-1800), text: Friederike Brun (1765-1835)
Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling (Yearning for Spring) by W. A. Mozart (1756-1791), text: Christian A. Overbeck (1755- 1821)
Frühlingslied (Spring Song) by Franz Schubert (1797-1828), text: Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty (1748-1776)
Erstes Grün (First Grasses)  by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), text: Justinus Kerner (1786-1862)
Frühlingsnacht (Spring Song) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), text: Joseph v. Eichendorff (1788-1857)
Jasminenstrauch (Jasmine bush) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), text: Friedrich Rückert (1788-1866)
Das Veilchen (The violet) by Clara Schumann (1819-1896), text: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
Draußen in Sievering (Out there in Sievering) from Die Tänzerin Danny Elßler (The Dancer Fanny Essler)– Johann Strauß (1825-1899)/Oskar Stalla, text: Hans Adler (1880-1957)
An einem Tag im Frühling (A day in Spring) – Franz Doelle (1883-1965) , text: Bruno Balz (1902-1988)
Veronika, der Lenz ist da (Veronika, spring is here)– Walter Jurmann (1903-1971), text: Fritz Rotter (1900-1984)
Ich hab im Frühling nur dich geküsst (I’ve kissed only you in the spring) by Walter Jurmann (1903-1971), text: Fritz Rotter (1900-1984)

Christine Menschner, soprano and Joan Lundquist, piano

Appalachian Spring arranged for solo piano by Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

1. Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light.
2. Fast/Allegro. Sudden burst of unison strings in A major arpeggios starts the action. A sentiment both elated and religious gives the keynote to this scene.
3. Moderate/Moderato. Duo for the Bride and her Intended – scene of tenderness and passion.
4. Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock. Folksy feeling – suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers.
5. Still faster/Subito Allegro. Solo dance of the Bride – presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder.
6. Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction.
7. Calm and flowing/Doppio Movimento. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title “The Gift to Be Simple.” The melody borrowed and used almost literally is called “Simple Gifts.”
8. Moderate. Coda/Moderato – Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end the couple are left “quiet and strong in their new house.” Muted strings intone a hushed prayerlike chorale passage. The close is reminiscent of the opening music.

Karin McCullough, piano