Schumann: Op. 42-2, Frauenliebe und Leben
In the second song from Schumann’s "Frauenliebe und Leben“ (A Woman’s Life and Love), she praises the man she loves but declares herself unworthy of him.
Read more
Schumann: Op. 42-1, Frauenliebe und Leben
The great composer Robert Schumann, who fought to advance the classical tradition against the encroachment of the romantic school, lamented that he and his associates had made real progress in only one genre – the classical “Lied” (art song).
Read more
Beethoven Opus 4, String Quintet
Leaving the tragic story of the miller and his brook, we refresh ourselves with a lesser-known work of Beethoven, the String Quintet in E-flat Major, Opus 4.
Read more
Beethoven Opus 13, Pathetique Sonata, Cantabile
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Along with pioneering the song cycle as an art form, Beethoven emphasized early on the role of the human singing voice in his instrumental music.
Read moreSchubert: D. 795-20, Des Baches Wiegenlied
Monday, June 14, 2021
In the last days of his life, Beethoven was absorbed in the study of some sixty of Schubert’s songs, often lingering over them for hours, and he expressed “the utmost wonder” at their content. Among them was the cycle “Die Schöne Müllerin”, which closes with the achingly beautiful “Des Baches Wiegenlied”.
Read moreSchubert: D. 795-19, Der Müller und der Bach
In “Der Müller und der Bach“, the miller is succumbing to despair, and we hear the voice of the brook for the first time, urging the miller to break free from his sorrow.
Read more
Schubert: D. 795-18, Trockne Blumen
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Number 18 in “Die Schöne Müllerin” is the lovely song, "Trockne Blumen” (Withered Flowers). Schubert would later compose variations for flute and piano on this theme! (D. 802)
Read moreSchubert: D.795-17, Die Böse Farbe
In the hauntingly beautiful song “Die liebe Farbe“ (The Favorite Color) the unhappy miller announces that he wants to die and that everything should be green so the maiden knows it’s her fault.
Read more
Schubert: D. 795-16, Die liebe Farbe
In the hauntingly beautiful song “Die liebe Farbe“ (The Favorite Color) the unhappy miller announces that he wants to die and that everything should be green so the maiden knows it’s her fault.
Read more
Schubert: D. 795-15, Eifersucht und Stolz
After realizing that his beloved has eyes for another man, our miller instructs the brook to deliver a message to her. Here is an extraordinary 1928 recording of "Eifersucht und Stolz" (Jealousy and Pride).
Read more