Lied (art song)

A Lied (plural: Lieder) is a type of art song that originated in German-speaking countries, characterized by a close relationship between music and poetry. Composers create these songs by setting poetic texts to music, often for voice and piano, to express deep emotions, storytelling, or reflections. Lieder elegantly combine lyrical words with expressive melodies, allowing the singer and pianist to communicate nuanced feelings and themes. They are typically performed in intimate settings and focus on the poetic quality and musical artistry, making them a refined form of musical and literary collaboration.