Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21
21 melodramas for Sprechstimme (speaking voice) and chamber ensemble (piano, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin/viola, cello), composed 1912. Texts after German translations of Albert Giraud's French poems. The piano is a full equal partner throughout all 21 pieces. Organised in three groups of seven. The use of Sprechstimme (speech-song, with notated pitches used as guides for the speaking voice rather than exactly sung tones) was a defining innovation. Among the most influential works of the 20th century. Duration approximately 35–40 minutes.
Works in this Collection (21)
- No. 1: Mondestrunken (Moondrunk) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 2: Colombine (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 3: Der Dandy (The Dandy) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 4: Eine blasse Wäscherin (A Pale Laundress) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 5: Valse de Chopin (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 6: Madonna (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 7: Der kranke Mond (The Sick Moon) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 8: Die Nacht (Passacaglia) (The Night) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 9: Gebet an Pierrot (Prayer to Pierrot) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 10: Raub (Serenade/Theft) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 11: Rote Messe (Red Mass) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 12: Galgenlied (Gallows Song) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 13: Enthauptung (Beheading) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 14: Die Kreuze (The Crosses) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 15: Heimweh (Nostalgia) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 16: Gemeinheit! (Vulgarity!) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 17: Parodie (Parody) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 18: Der Mondfleck (The Moonspot) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 19: Serenade (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 20: Heimfahrt (Barcarolle) (Homeward Journey) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty
- No. 21: O alter Duft aus Märchenzeit (O Ancient Scent) (Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21) Difficulty