
Schubert in love
Donald Macleod explores Schubert’s life around the time of his Eleventh String Quartet and the struggles he endured establishing a livelihood and and a relationship.
Donald Macleod explores Schubert’s life around the time of his Eleventh String Quartet.
Franz Schubert’s short life spanned a crucial period in music history as the elegant, classical stylings of Mozart and Haydn were giving way to the drama and passion of the romantic era. Schubert came to embody that transformation, in music that was all about personal expression and individual inspiration. This week, Donald Macleod throws the spotlight on Schubert’s chamber music and explores the stories around five key works for small ensembles.
By 1816, the young composer was teaching at his father’s school in Vienna. Schubert hated what he regarded as the drudgery of teaching, and longed to pursue a career in music. He turned his energies to composing another string quartet – this would be his eleventh. Schubert was also now studying with the celebrated theatre composer, Antonio Salieri, and they collaborated on an opera together. Outside of music there were other distractions; Therese Grob was the daughter of a neighbour and a fine singer. Schubert quickly fell in love but, without better career prospects, there was little chance of his making their relationship a lasting one.
Klage, D436
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
Gerald Moore, piano
Andenken, D423
Camerata Musica Limburg
Jan Schumacher, conductor
Widerhall, D428
Camerata Musica Limburg
Jan Schumacher, conductor
Die Bürgschaft, D435 (excerpt)
Oliver Widmer, baritone
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Jan Schultsz, conductor
Symphony No 5 in B flat, D485 (Andante con moto & Menuetto)
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor
String Quartet No 11 in E, D353
Melos Quartet
Produced by Luke Whitlock, for ѿý Wales
Last on
Music Played
-
Franz Schubert
Klage, D 436
Performer: Gerald Moore. Singer: Dietrich Fischer‐Dieskau.- DG : 437-215-2.
- DG.
- 6.
-
Franz Schubert
Andenken, D 423
Choir: Camerata Musica Limburg. Conductor: Jan Schumacher.- GENUIN : GEN-17474.
- GENUIN.
- 15.
-
Franz Schubert
Widerhall, D 428
Performer: Camerata Musica Limburg. Conductor: Jan Schumacher.- DG : 437-215-2.
- DG.
- 16.
-
Franz Schubert
Die Burgschaft, D 435 (excerpt)
Singer: Oliver Widmer. Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Jan Schultsz.- Hyperion: CDA67229.
- Hyperion.
- 11.
-
Franz Schubert
Symphony No 5 in B flat major, D 485
Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.- VIRGIN : VC-7 91515-2.
- VIRGIN.
- 2.
-
Franz Schubert
String Quartet in E major, D 353
Ensemble: Melos Quartett.- DG : 419-879 2.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 1.
Broadcast
- Tue 2 Feb 2021 12:00ѿý Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.