Gustav Lange: Silvana (Melodisches Tonstück), Op.326

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Phillip Sear plays an 1886 piece by the German composer Gustav Lange (1830–89).
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Lange was very popular in the 19th century for 'Blumenlied', 'Edelweiss' and other salon pieces. Unlike many of his contemporary composers for the parlour and salon who racked up apparently large catalogues of works by giving individual opus numbers to short pieces, Lange was genuinely prolific. For example, his Op. 171 'Lieder Blüthen' is a set of some 59 fantasies on popular songs of the day, by composers including Franz Abt, Reichardt and Conradin Kreutzer which might well take over four hours to perform in its entirety—maybe a good subject for a piano marathon!

The title “Silvana” probably refers to the title character in Weber's eponymous 1810 opera, although it is not musically related. The opera's story revolves around Silvana, a girl found in the forest, mute and dressed in skins, who is later revealed to be of noble birth. So, possibly, Lange's music suggests the idea of a forest maiden with a mysterious noble heritage and themes of natural innocence and social acceptance.

Thumbnail image generated by Imagen (within Google Slides).
#germanmusic
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