Literature has been the driving inspirational force for many classical composers. Expressing a poem or a novel through music and letting the audience know about the literature behind the music has the same effect on the listener as when imagining stories while listening to music: it helps understand, appreciate and give meaning to the music by visualizing it. For example, Liszt , in his ‘Libestraum no 3’ which was inspired by a poem by Ferdinand Freiligrath, engages our emotions by reminding us of the impermanence of life and the strength of love and thus gives more meaning to his music. ‘Also sprach Zarathustra’ by Strauss was inspired by Nietzsche’s novel of the same title, in which Zarathustra poses questions about humankind and our existence in the world and urges us to rise above all prejudices of human society and struggle to create our own purpose and values. Strauss’ music has as objective to make us reconsider our values and think about our place in the universe, just like Nietzsche. Through the following classical pieces, you dive into the music and literature behind it to get a better feeling of the music.
"Ave Maria"
"Spring" from "The four seasons"
"Summer" from "The four seasons"
"Autumn" from "The four seasons"
"Winter" from "The four seasons"
"Clair de lune"
"Liebestraum no 3"
"Also sprach Zarathustra"
(Op 30)
"Ave Maria / Ellens Gesang III"
"Jazz suite No 1"
