Josephine Lang - Expanding the Music Theory Canon

Josephine Lang (1815-1880) was a German pianist and singer, composer of approximately 150 lieder, and music teacher. Lang made her début playing a set of piano variations by Henri Herz at age eleven, and she began composing around 1828. Somewhat isolated by her parents and in poor health, Lang developed her considerable natural musical abilities without the assistance of famous teachers or a high-profile education. Felix Mendelssohn heard her perform in 1830 and gave Lang lessons in music theory. He was so impressed with her work that he recommended she pursue serious musical studies in Berlin, but her father prohibited it. Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn remained champions of Lang’s works for years to come. Robert Schumann also publicly praised Lang’s songs, many of which were published during her lifetime.

Works:

Lang’s 150 lieder were published in 46 opuses, many of which are available in the public domain (see link below).

Resources:

Sources:

Citron, Marcia J. “Lang, Josephine.” Grove Music Online. 2001.

Krebs, Harald and Sharon Krebs. Josephine Lang: Her Life and Songs. Oxford University Press, 2007.

Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon

Dort hoch auf jenem Berge
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Pages: Intervals, Seventh Chords, Neighbor Tone, Suspensions, Predominant

Wein’ aus deine Freude
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Pages: Intervals, Neapolitan

Danse Infernale
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Pages: Intervals, Predominant

Der Winter
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Pages: Intervals, Suspensions, Predominant

Hochzeits-Marsch
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Pages: Triads, Borrowed Divisions, V, V7+ Inversions