Beethoven's Irische Lieder can be traced to three sources (which, in turn, are the origins of Irish national music): the work of the bards (the Irish equivalent to the German Meistersinger), non-vocal harp tunes (music for dancing, tunes for convivial uses and funeral dirges), and ballads. Beethoven took the preexistent melody and provided a harmony, unaware of the history or nature of the tunes (which often lacked words). The question is posed whether Beethoven's setting of these tunes reflects their true nature.

Index Classifications: 1800s

Contributed by: Marc Moskovitz