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Donald Macleod is joined by writer and broadcaster Stephen Johnson to discuss Schubert’s highly productive last years. They begin by concentrating on Schubert's last symphony, the 'Great', amongst other works, before turning to his last mass, considered by many to be a neglected masterpiece. Next, they discuss the importance of Beethoven for Schubert and introduce Schubert's Piano Sonata in B flat. Donald Macleod then looks at two valedictory works from Schubert's final weeks - the motet Tantum ergo and the troubled String Quintet, which gathered dust for 25 years after the composer's death but is now regarded as one of the masterpieces of chamber music. Donald Macleod concludes by looking at the songs written during Schubert's final months, grouped together by an enterprising publisher under the title Schwanengesang, or Swansong.