Song cycle

Definition

A group of songs linked by a common theme or with a text written by the same author, usually accompanied by piano but sometimes by small ensembles or full orchestra.

Examples

'Die Schöne Müllerin' is a collection of 20 songs by Schubert based on poems by Wilhelm Müller.

'Das Lied von der Erde' is a collection of 6 songs for two voices and orchestra by Mahler based on Chinese poetry from the Tang dynasty.