Archaeological Analysis of German and Austrian Art Songs in the Romantic Period in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the main musical and cultural features of German and Austrian art songs during the Romantic period (late 18th to early 19th century) through a multidisciplinary approach, particularly intersecting archaeology and musicology. Focusing on the specific achievements of major composers including Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Hugo Wolf, and Robert Schumann, it examines how these composers shaped the genre in their unique ways: Schubert with Austrian folk influences, Schumann with innovative harmonic control, and Brahms with a classical music outlook. Hugo Wolf's interpretations significantly elevated the Lied to new lyrical and emotional heights, inspiring subsequent generations. The paper also investigates the impact of contemporary cultural, literary, and philosophical trends on the thematic and stylistic aspects of art songs, involving movements such as Romanticism, individualism, and nationalism. By analyzing the relationship between text and music, this study seeks to uncover the techniques employed in creating these musical works and their contribution to the art of song literature.