What is the typical accompaniment for an art song?

The typical accompaniment for an art song is piano accompaniment. This is largely due to the historical development of art songs, particularly in the Western classical tradition, where composers like Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann wrote art songs that prominently featured the piano alongside the voice. The piano not only supports the vocal line but also enhances the expressive quality of the song through its harmonic and rhythmic textures.

The piano allows for a wide range of dynamics and tonal colors, which helps to express the nuanced emotions often found in art songs. This intimate setting, with the singer accompanied by piano, is ideal for conveying the lyrical and poetic nature of the text.

In contrast, orchestral ensembles, band arrangements, or solo instrumentation may be used in other musical forms or genres, but they are not characteristic of the traditional art song format. Art songs are designed to spotlight the vocal line and its interplay with piano, making piano accompaniment the definitive choice for this genre.