art song

American  

noun

1. a song intended primarily to be sung in recital, typically set to a poem, and having subtly interdependent vocal and piano parts.

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Etymology

Origin of art song

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

art song

For a long time, “Ol’ Man River” became the go-to American art song for concert singers, but it also has a rich history of jazz and swing interpretations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

The art of the so-called art song is a thriving business.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 19, 2026

“It allows me to be theatrical and share my love of art, song, dance and comedy.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2023

By now, the Park Avenue Armory’s Recital Series concerts are a known quantity: art song and chamber music in ornate, intimate spaces.

From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2022

Almost all folk-music, indeed, exacts a vocal method of its interpreter quite distinct from that of the art song.

From The Merry-Go-Round by Van Vechten, Carl