Die Lotosblume

"Die Lotosblume" (which means "The Lotus-Flower") is No. 7 of Robert Schumann's song cycle Myrthen, which was a wedding present to his wife Clara Wieck. Schumann completed the cycle in 1840, totaling 26 Lieder (songs for solo voice and piano), with texts by prominent 19th-century German poets such as Ludwig Rellstab, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and others. "Die Lotosblume" is a poem by Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) the text of which, given the circumstances of Robert's & Clara's romance, is thought to have a double meaning: the lotus-flower represents Clara, the moon Robert, and the sun Clara's father, who disapproved of their relationship. This arrangement preserves Schumann's original piano part in support of a 4-part (SATB) harmonization of the melody. Although the lower voices are informed by the harmonies of the accompaniment and move largely in parallel motion, each voice retains its own counter-melodic value. The arrangement was premiered in 2014 by the Morris County (NJ) Honor Choir under the direction of the arranger, D. Jason Bishop.