Spreifmusik

Spreimusik is a German term that translates to "spoken music" or "sprechgesang," a vocal delivery style that bridges the gap between singing and reciting. It was famously developed and popularized by the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century, notably in his works like Pierrot Lunaire.

This vocal technique involves the performer speaking the text in a rhythmic and melodic fashion, without adhering to a strict pitch like traditional singing. The composer indicates the approximate pitches and rhythms, but the performer interprets them, creating a unique, often unsettling, vocal texture. The aim is not to produce beautiful vocal tones but to convey the dramatic and emotional content of the text with a heightened sense of realism or expression.

Schoenberg's intention was to imbue the vocal line with a greater dramatic intensity and expressiveness than conventional singing, while avoiding the perceived sentimentality of operatic performance. Spreimusik allows for a more direct and visceral connection to the words, emphasizing their meaning and impact. While Schoenberg is most associated with its development, other composers, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern, also employed this technique in their compositions. The influence of spreimusik can be heard in various 20th and 21st-century vocal music, particularly in avant-garde and experimental genres.