SINGING IN THE AIR: “We want to educate people and introduce them to this wonderful art form. Part of our program is to help people learn about and understand the art song.” Alta Malberg, president, co-founder, and co-artistic director of The Federation of the Art Song, is shown with vice president, co-founder, and co-artistic director Martin Néron.

By Jean Stratton

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

–William Shakespeare

Music. It is everywhere, and touches us all.

From rap, rock, and pop to country, folk, and blues to Broadway show tunes and jazz to hymns, anthems, and opera, there is a song for everyone.

Music inspires and thrills; energizes and excites; comforts and calms. And there are times when its beauty carries you to the stars.

The art song, with its long tradition and history, occupies a unique place in the world of music. It is closely associated with famous composers Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms, among others of the Romantic period of European classical music.

The art song is noted especially for its collaboration of music and poetry. It has been described by music documents and journals as “a vocal music composition for one voice with piano accompaniment, and is often set to a poem or a text. The genre is distinguished by its emphasis on the union of music and poetry, where the music is crafted to enhance the emotional and narrative content of the text. Art songs are typically composed with attention to classical music traditions, and are often performed in recitals or concerts rather than in casual settings.”

Deeper Engagement

The art song was frequently performed in salons and formal settings, yet more intimate than in a large concert hall. It featured complex harmonies, modulations, and sophisticated structures, and the piano accompaniment was an integral part of the composition, not just serving as background.

The appreciation of art songs often involves a deeper engagement of both the music and the text, offering a rich, immersive experience both for performers and audiences. While not necessary, understanding of the text and its relationship to the music deeply enhances the appreciation of art song, point out many admirers of the genre.

In fact, classical music generally is intended for quiet listeners whose focus is on the music itself.

As one art song aficionado, a former singer, adds, it is a concept that audiences can relate to, recalling moments of their own experiences. “The goal of the art song is to reflect emotion and poetry that we all experience in our lives.”

During its early years, the art song was received enthusiastically by audiences in Europe, and over time, it became popular in the U.S., with American composers becoming attracted to the genre.
In recent years, however, it has lost some of its following, and it is the mission of The Federation of the Art Song (FAS) to revive interest in this music.

Art Song Tradition

A nonprofit organization, FAS was stablished in 2021 in Princeton by soprano Alta Malberg and pianist Martin Néron. Its mission is “to create a broader appreciation of all songs. A crucial aspect of its mission is providing opportunities for singers and collaborative pianists and instrumentalists to perform, thus growing and developing their artistic identities. The FAS awards a Fellowship annually and mounts concerts on a regular basis to maintain the robust art song tradition.”

“We began during COVID, when we had an outdoor concert in our backyard,” recalls longtime Princeton resident Malberg. “We wanted to let more people know about the art song and also offer performing opportunities for artists.”

Malberg, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, has performed on stage and screen in Europe and the U.S., and she especially enjoys the art song genre. In addition, she has directed and produced as well as performed in many concerts and shows.

Her schedule also includes lecturing at the Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center, and she has taught singing for more than 30 years at her studios in New York City and Princeton. She has been a member of the board of directors of the International Singing Competition “Joy In Singing” for 30 years, serving as president and vice president. She is a member of the board of directors of the Princeton Adult School, where she also teaches a course in singing technique an appreciation.

In addition to Malberg and co-founder, co-artistic director, and vice president Néron, there are seven other board members of the Federation of The Art Song. They assist in all areas of the organization’s operation, from fundraising to planning programs.

A celebrated pianist, Néron has been acclaimed for his performances of the art song repertoire. He serves on the faculty of Westminster Choir College, and has held residencies and master classes at prominent universities. He is the founder and artistic director of the Vocalis Consort, an ensemble which strives to showcase vocal works that have been traditionally overlooked. He excels in performing the art of the French Melodie and lied repertoire.

Fellowship Awards Program

FAS holds five different programs throughout the year, including two fundraisers in Princeton and also free concerts at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University. Programs can include as many as five soloists, each performing four or five pieces.

‘We also have a Fellowship Award Program, lasting two days at the Manhattan School of Music,” explains Malberg. “This is an annual competition, and our goal is to help the singers. We don’t charge an entry fee for the award program.”

“There are not enough events for the performers,” she continues. “They are underpaid, and the art song is under-represented. Winners of our Fellowship Award program have gone on to successful careers, singing in concerts across the country. I look forward to helping provide funding to more musicians so they can continue to be there for us. They need to have teachers and coaches so they can continue to improve their voice.

“I would also eventually like to establish an award program for teenagers. I very much want to get young people involved. We want to reach many people and help new singers share this music. FAS wants to expand the genre to include contemporary composers and music from under-represented cultures.”

In reflecting on her continuing love affair with the art song, Malberg explains its captivating appeal for her. “My love is the art song. It’s different. You don’t have costumes or props, as in opera. You have to convey what the song is about, the inner drama. You have to make it special for yourself and for the audience.”

Easy on the Ear

The FAS August 31 “Easy Breezy Afternoon” afternoon concert, held in a garden setting at a private Princeton residence, will include five singers, two of whom were finalists from the recent Fellowship Award competition. The program begins at 3:30 p.m. and will run approximately 90 minutes.

“We will have a very well-known composer, Tom Cipullo, speak about the late Paul Sperry, another performer and supporter of art songs, whose memorial we will celebrate,” says Malberg. “The music will be fun, light and easy on one’s ear, and everyone will be given a bag of delicious goodies for lunch and additionally, there will be a dessert reception afterward to meet the performers.”

Selecting Princeton as the headquarters for FAS was a very deliberate decision, she points out. “This is a knowledgeable community, and there is a lot of interest in music. It has been a good decision, and we are encouraged. The audiences are growing, and interest in the art song is increasing. All ages are responding.”

The organization is funded by donations and performance revenues, she adds. “In addition to our fundraisers, we hope to be able to get grants. We are grateful for all donations, and we are always looking for new sponsors and venues available for future concerts.”

Reviving the art song repertoire and introducing it to new audiences is indeed a labor of love for Malberg. “It is so important for this art form to be learned about and publicized,” she emphasizes. “I enjoy sharing the art song and our great singers with the audiences. We want people to hear their voices and understand the beauty of the art song.”

For further information on The Federation of The Art Song and the upcoming August 31 event, call (609) 497-0543. Visit the website at FASong.org.