A "Song Cycle" is a collection of songs that are meant to be performed together as a cohesive unit. These songs often share a common theme, story, or emotional journey, allowing the listener to experience a narrative or concept in a more profound way. Composers like Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann are well-known for their contributions to this musical form. Typically, a song cycle consists of art songs, which are usually written for voice and piano. Each song in the cycle can stand alone but is enhanced by its connection to the others. This format is popular in classical music and is often used to explore complex emotions and ideas.