Three volumes from Robert Schumann's music library, his copies of Weber's songs Leyer und Schwerdt Op. 42, being settings of poems by Theodor Körner, in three volumes, Opp.41-43, the first two signed on the title-page by Schumann ("R.Schumann"). Oblong folio. Engraved throughout. [PN] 154-156. 25pp; 11+10+10+10pp; 19 pp.   In generally fine condition, outer pages rebacked. Contained in a custom crimson cloth box. From the collection of pianist Graham Johnson, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading vocal accompanists. 

An important landmark in Weber’s creative development, these songs were composed in 1814 in an atmosphere of rising nationalistic feelings and are imbued with the ideas of the struggle for liberation. The collection, as well as the heroic patriotic cantata Kampf und Sieg (1815), brought renown to Weber in Germany. Soon after this publication, Weber would begin work on his operatic masterpiece Der Freischütz.

A musical tribute to Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, who was a musician and composer in his own right, the dedication “Bei der Musik des Prinzen Louis Ferdinand von Preussen” is particularly special, as Weber here combines melodies written by Prince Louis Ferdinand with his own in order to create the ultimate musical homage. Indeed, there are annotations in the score where Weber notates which melodies are his and which are Prince Louis Ferdinand’s.

The presence of these works in the library of Robert Schumann is significant. The plans of Schumann's father to send him to study with the famed composer had been thwarted by Weber’s death in 1826. But Weber’s innovations, especially the folk-inspired elements which became a hallmark of German Romanticism more broadly, had an enormous impact on Schumann.