Final answer:
The statement is true; art songs are indeed a combination of poetry and music. This form of expression is evident in classical compositions where the music is composed to enhance textual meaning and emotional depth, as seen in Schubert's use of Goethe's poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the art song can be described as a union of poetry and music is indeed true. Art songs, often found in classical music, are compositions that set a poem or a piece of poetic prose to music. These compositions are typically written for voice and piano, with the music specifically composed to enhance the emotional and narrative aspects of the text. The art song form flourished during the Romantic era when composers like Schumann, Brahms, and Schubert used poetry as the foundation for their lyrical compositions. This form of union allows for a deep expression of emotion and a complex interplay between words and melody, where both contribute to the overall impact of the piece.
For instance, Franz Schubert's "Gretchen am Spinnrade" is a classic example of an art song, where the literary qualities of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem intertwine with Schubert's musical composition to convey the despair and longing of the character, Gretchen. The piano accompaniment mimics the spinning wheel and sets the scene, while the vocal line carries the emotional weight of the text. Thus, the careful melding of music and poetry in art songs creates a unique and powerful form of artistic expression.