Monday, June 28, 2021

March 26, 1828 was the first anniversary of the death of Ludwig van Beethoven, and was also the date of the sole public concert given by Franz Schubert. Among the works premiered on that occasion was “Auf dem Strom” (On the River), a lovely song of farewell set for voice, piano, and horn. At the start of the second verse, Schubert subtly weaves in the “Funeral March” theme from Beethoven’s Third Symphony as a tribute to the great master. Schubert would himself pass away in November of that same year.

 Sunday, June 27, 2021

It’s fairly certain that Schubert attended Beethoven’s grand concert or “Akademie” which took place May 7, 1824 in Vienna, where the Choral Symphony was first performed along with three movements from the Missa Solemnis. Schubert’s choral setting of “Die Allmacht” (D 875a) may have been a first draft for a choral finale to a new symphony of his own.

 Friday, June 25, 2021

In 1822, though Beethoven was the towering figure in Vienna’s musical life, the 25-year-old Franz Schubert had already made a name for himself with songs including his Opus 1, “Der Erlkönig” (The Elf-king) and Opus 2 “Gretchen am Spinnrad” (Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel).

 Monday, June 21, 2021

In this fifth song of Schumann’s "Frauenliebe und –leben“, the woman is with her friends preparing for her wedding.

 Sunday, June 20, 2021

In the beautiful song "Du Ring on meinem Finger“ (You, ring on my finger), the young woman muses over how her life has changed: she had found herself in despair, without a higher purpose in life, and now finds meaning in dedicating herself to her beloved. This is the fourth song in Schumann's "Frauenliebe und -leben" (A Woman's Life and Love).