Partsong facts for kids

A partsong is a special kind of music. It's sung by two or more voices without any musical instruments playing along. Think of it like a group of singers performing without a piano, guitar, or drums. Many partsongs are written for four different voices: soprano (the highest female voice), alto (a lower female voice), tenor (a high male voice), and bass (the lowest male voice).

A partsong can be sung by just four people, one for each voice part. But it can also be sung by a much larger group, like a choir. In a choir, many singers divide themselves into these four voice parts to sing the partsong together.

What Makes a Partsong Special?

The word "partsong" usually describes short, non-religious songs sung without instruments. These songs are often fun and meant for groups to enjoy together. Other languages don't have a single word that means exactly the same thing as "partsong."

Sometimes, the term "partsong" can also refer to other types of music like a glee, a madrigal, or an unaccompanied anthem. However, it's most often used for shorter, everyday songs.

History of Partsongs

Partsongs became very popular in England during the 17th century. They were often cheerful pieces sung at parties or in pubs. Many of these early partsongs were rounds, where different voices sing the same melody starting at different times. They could also be catches, which are like rounds but often have funny or tricky words. Some were even quodlibets, which combine different melodies or texts.

In the 19th century, madrigals became popular again. This led many composers to start writing partsongs. Famous composers like Sterndale Bennett, Arthur Sullivan, Parry, Charles Villiers Stanford, and Edward Elgar wrote many partsongs. Later, composers such as Finzi, John Ireland, and Moeran also contributed to this style.

Across Europe, many composers in the 19th century and early 20th century also wrote songs that fit the description of partsongs. These included well-known musicians like Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, and Ravel.