Lyric Suite (Berg)
The Lyric Suite is a six-movement string quartet written by Alban Berg between 1925 and 1926. Though initially considered an abstract work of purely instrumental music, it was later revealed to contain a hidden vocal setting of verses from Charles Baudelaire's poem "De Profundis Clamavi" in the last movement. This discovery, made by musicologist George Perle, confirmed long-held suspicions of a secret program, specifically an encoded expression of Berg's intense and ultimately tragic love affair with Hanna Fuchs-Robettin.
The work is notable for its use of both tonal and atonal elements, reflecting Berg's distinctive compositional style. Serial techniques, derived from the twelve-tone method developed by his teacher Arnold Schoenberg, are employed alongside more traditional approaches to harmony and form. Recurring motifs and musical ciphers, related to Berg and Fuchs-Robettin, further contribute to the Suite's intricate and deeply personal narrative.
The six movements are marked as follows:
- Allegretto gioviale
- Andante amoroso
- Allegro misterioso – Trio estatico
- Adagio appassionato
- Presto delirando – Tenebroso
- Largo desolato
The Lyric Suite is considered a seminal work in the string quartet repertoire of the 20th century, highly regarded for its expressive power, innovative compositional techniques, and the poignant personal story embedded within its musical fabric. Its exploration of hidden meaning and programmatic elements continues to fascinate and intrigue performers and audiences alike.