Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin D. 795-1 Das Wandern
As Beethoven was the father of the Liederkreis (song cycle), it’s entirely appropriate to include the great song cycles of Schubert and Schumann in any commemoration of Beethoven’s life and work.
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Gretchen am Spinnerade
🎼🎶 Tuesday, May 25, 2021
The best-known song from Goethe’s “Faust” is Franz Schubert’s setting of “Gretchen am Spinnrade” (Gretchen at the spinning wheel), which Schubert composed when he was just 16 years old.
Read moreFlohlied, Opus 75-3
The “Flohlied” or “Flea song” is a tavern song from Goethe’s “Faust”. It ridicules the discomfiture of courtiers who are forced to suffer flea bites because the flea is a favorite of the king. Beethoven's score directs that the last two lines of the song be sung by a chorus, so feel free to join in.
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Mailied, Opus 52-4
Sunday, May 23, 2021
One of the most beloved "spring songs" is "Mailied", composed by Goethe in 1771 and set by Beethoven a quarter-century later. The poetic translation below is from the Schiller Institute's John Sigerson.
Read moreDer Wachtelschlag- Beethoven WoO 129, Schubert D.742
Another fascinating comparison is the various settings of “Der Wachtelschlag” (The Quail Song), based on a widely-known folk song from the 18th century in which the rhythm of the bird’s song constantly reminds the listener to invoke God.
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Sehnsucht- Beethoven Op. 83-2, Schubert D. 123
Another of Goethe’s poems set quite differently by Beethoven and Schubert is called “Sehnsucht” (Longing), better known as “Was zieht mir das Herz so?” (What pulls at my heart so?). Beethoven’s setting appeared in 1810, Schubert’s in 1814.
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Wonne der Wehmut, Beethoven Op. 83-1/ Schubert D.260
The poetry of Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe was an essential part of the transformation of the German classical “Lied” from sing-song accompaniment to thorough-composed dramatic presentation. A case in point is “Wonne der Wehmut” (Delight in Melancholy), a short poem written by Goethe in 1775, when Beethoven was not even five years old and Schubert wouldn’t be born for more than 20 years.
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Merkenstein, WoO 144, Opus 100
In December 1814 Beethoven wrote to Johann Baptist Rupprecht, “With the greatest pleasure, my esteemed R, I will set your poem to music and, what is more, I will shortly bring it to you in person — Whether my setting will be heavenly, I do not know, since I am only earthly. However I will do my utmost to justify as far as possible your exaggerated predilection for me.”
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Louis Farrakhan performs the Violin Concerto, Opus 61
On May 11th, an astonished audience received an extraordinary gift from Minister Louis Farrakhan in honor of his 88th birthday: the premiere of his performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto! Listen to this truly remarkable performance, brimming with warmth and delight.
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Neue Liebe, neues Leben, Opus 75 - 2
Goethe composed the poem “Neue Liebe, neues Leben” (New love, new life) in 1770, when he was romantically involved with Lilli Schoenemann, to whom he was engaged but never married. It’s the tongue-in-cheek lament of a man head-over-heels in love who finds everything in his life turned upside-down against his will.
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