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.

---

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

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

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2023

Both excelled above all else in their songs, leaving behind a major contribution to the American art song literature that has yet to be fully discovered let alone appreciated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2022

As Kaufmann pointed out at the outset of the evening — which he dedicated to the art of the art song itself — when it comes to lieder, “there is no before and no after.”

From Washington Post ● Oct. 18, 2021

It is a far cry from the beginning of music as described by Spencer to the modern art song, but from that time to this the principle has remained the same.

From The Head Voice and Other Problems Practical Talks on Singing by Clippinger, D. A. (David Alva)