From sublime ecstasy to the deepest despair, Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe (Poet’s love), based on texts by Heinrich Heine, is a story encompassing all the facets of a true and passionate love. The cycle was written in 1840, the year in which the composer, after a lengthy battle and against fierce resistance, was allowed to wed the virtuoso pianist Clara Wieck. 1840 is also celebrated as the “year of song” in the composer’s oeuvre.

This edition makes this world-famous cycle accessible to choirs while creating an entirely fresh sonic experience. Appearing in their new guise, the familiar melodies still closely reflect Schumann’s musical intentions. Hye-Young Cho is one of South Korea’s leading composers. Here she has produced sensitive arrangements in which the vocal groups are deployed in a varied and well considered manner. Her harmonies strictly follow Schumann’s piano setting (which she adopts unchanged), and thus the arrangements preserve the simple yet intense character of the songs.

I. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai
II. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
III. Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne
IV. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'
V. Ich will meine Seele tauchen
VI. Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome
VII. Ich grolle nicht
VIII. Und wüssten's die Blumen
IX. Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen
X. Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen
XI. Ein Jüngling liebt ein Mädchen
XII. Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen
XIII. Ich hab' im Traum geweinet
XIV. Allnächtlich im Traume
XV. Aus alten Märchen
XVI. Die alten bösen Lieder