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Chapter 4 - Political songs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 January 2023

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Summary

Rhineland settings

The publisher J. M. Dunst opens the first volume of his Lieder collection Rhein-Sagen und Lieder (Rhine-Myths and Songs) with a patriotic note to the reader:

Among all German lands, the educated traveller prefers the beautiful Rhineland. The mellow banks of the river Rhine are surrounded by nature’s poetic magic. […] Therefore, the Rhineland has fascinated the greatest poets and singers in all times. Many of these Rhineland myths and song collections […] have been widely published. However, very little has been done in order to embellish this poetry musically. This publishing company aims to fulfil the desire of many singers by putting together such a Lieder collection. […] We want to offer to our singers a truly national compilation, which will outlive the flood of novelties and which will be of great value even in the far future. May our collection increase the Rhinelander’s love of his homeland, and may it remind the distant Rhinelander of his happy moments at the bright river banks of the Rhine.

The title page promotes different facets of the Rhineland: an old man symbolises wisdom and poetic wealth; a harpist represents the artistic strand; a graceful woman illustrates beauty and skilfulness; a hunter reflects the wide landscape; and a ruler demonstrates the Rhinelanders’ confidence and pride (Fig. 4.1).

Kinkel’s Rhineland Lieder, with their folk-like themes, underline the impression of Rhein-Sagen und Lieder as a patriotic collection for the wider public. Alongside such famous nineteenth-century composers as Carl Loewe, Heinrich Marschner, and Felix Mendelssohn, Dunst published in his first volume Kinkel’s settings of Heine’s ‘Der Rheinstrom’ (The River Rhine) and ‘Kölln’ (Cologne). Both Lieder refer to unique Rhineland appearances as an allegory for the lyrical I’s beloved. In ‘Der Rheinstrom’, the lyrical protagonist sees in the river’s characteristics his beloved’s malice, a tone which points to Heinrich Heine’s fondness for ironic turns. The lyrical I in ‘Kölln’ associates his beloved with the Cologne Cathedral image of the Virgin Mary.

Kinkel’s two Lieder ‘Der Rheinstrom’ and ‘Kölln’ fulfil two typical Romantic criteria: they combine the themes of Rhineland patriotism and love, and they confirm Dunst’s representation of the Rhineland as a friendly, bright and mystic region.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Songs of Johanna Kinkel
Genesis, Reception, Context
, pp. 89 - 162
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2020

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  • Political songs
  • Anja Bunzel
  • Book: The Songs of Johanna Kinkel
  • Online publication: 13 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781787448100.005
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  • Political songs
  • Anja Bunzel
  • Book: The Songs of Johanna Kinkel
  • Online publication: 13 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781787448100.005
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Political songs
  • Anja Bunzel
  • Book: The Songs of Johanna Kinkel
  • Online publication: 13 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781787448100.005
Available formats
×