We were taught at school that the Rhine is one of the longest rivers in Europe, from the Alps to the North Sea; that during the Roman Empire it became one of the most important trade routes; that it constitutes some country borders and passes through this and that country; my ability to forget maps is only comparable to my ability to forget dynasties and their dates. However, we weren't taught (I would remember it) that it became a symbol of Romanticism.All requirements were met: mountains, valleys, gorges, forests and fog brought up that true and inaccessible nature so desired. Castles in ruins evoked the past, that time of medieval heroes. There were legends bound to specific places, such as those of the Loreley or the Hostile Brothers. In short, the Rhine, especially what is known as Mittelrhein, about 600 km between Bingen and Bonn, represented the world idealized by Romanticism [...]

 

La Central, one of the best bookshops in Barcelona, organizes every season, a series of short courses on literature and, recently, also about music. During their Winter Academy, I gave a course on Lied, for seven weeks (fourteen hours), covering very briefly from pre-schubertian to post-straussian Lieder, a course that ended one month ago. I greatly enjoy giving those courses, and this one wasn't an exception. So, my first reason to write this post is to show my gratitude to all participants. Thank you for your trust, your contributions, your curiosity your good mood... Thank you very much indeed!