Neue Liebeslieder

Neue Liebeslieder
Part songs by Johannes Brahms
The composer ca. 1872
Catalogue	Op. 65
Text	Folk songs
Language	German
Composed	1869 (1869)–1874
Movements	15
Scoring	four vocal parts and four-hand piano

Neue Liebeslieder (New love songs), Op. 65, written by Johannes Brahms, is a collection of Romantic pieces written for four solo voices and four hands on the piano. They are also known as Neue Liebesliederwalzer. Neue Liebeslieder were written during the Romantic period between 1869 and 1874. The text of the songs is adapted from folk songs of various areas of Europe including Turkey, Poland, Latvia and Sicily. The text for songs 1 through 14 were translated and compiled by Georg Friedrich Daumer in his poem series, Polydora; the text for the fifteenth and final song, entitled "Zum Schluß" ("In Conclusion"), was written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Neue Liebeslieder were written following the success of the popular Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52.

The Neue Liebeslieder differs from the earlier Liebeslieder in the fact that the ensemble sections of the work are separated by two solo songs for the individual members of the quartet. Although this piece was originally written for a quartet, Neue Liebeslieder is often performed by a larger chamber ensemble and soloists.

The better known and more liked portion of this fifteen song cycle are the seven quartets. Throughout these ensemble sections, Brahms uses innovative techniques to portray a central idea. For example, in the first song, measures 16–21, he depicts the rocky shores by the repeated cry of "zertrümmert", which in English means "wrecked". Brahms also enhances the text "Well auf Well" ("wave after wave") with octave leaps in all four parts in measure 4 and 29. In No. 8, Brahms's use of the musical rest in the middle of the words mixed with the chorus singing dolce helps to create a gentle atmosphere.

The eight solo sections of the Neue Liebeslieder differ from the ensemble parts in that the soloists illustrate different characters who behave in certain ways when it comes to love. The soprano is a female who continuously has no luck when it comes to men; the alto is depicted as a female who has suddenly abandoned her lover; the tenor is portrayed as a male who is selfish and irresponsible when it comes to sexual relationships with women; and the bass is one who is hopelessly in love with his married lover.