Wesendonk Lieder and Other Songs for Voice and Piano (Dover Song Collections)

Although Richard Wagner composed only a small number of songs, several of those he created hold an important place in the history of the lied. This volume contains 20 songs, virtually all the surviving works he completed for voice and piano, reprinted from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition.
The songs range from Wagner's seven early settings of texts from Goethe's Faust to the five touching songs with verses by the composer's lover and patroness Mathilde Wesendonk, two of which originated as sketches for Tristan und Isolde. The "Wesendonk Lieder," which were never orchestrated by Wagner, are presented here in their original version. In all, this volume represents a rare opportunity for singers and musicians — any music lover — to study and enjoy a set of familiar masterpieces along with a number of fascinating works that illuminate Wagner's earlier development.