Day 1 - I814 - 1822 (90 min)
Schubert's Early Lieder (30 min)
Although Beethoven wrote lieder (German art songs), Schubert is considered the first master of the
genre. His first outstanding lied, "Gretchen and the Spinning" Wheel, was written at age 17. His more
famous "The Elf King" was written the next year. Die schöne Müllerin, D. 795 (1823) and Winterreise,
D. 911 (1827) are famous lieder cycles (multiple lieder on a single topic).
Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 "Trout" (1819) for piano, violin, viola, cello, and bass. (22 min)
Mostly classical in style, this popular five movement quintet is more leisurely and less intense than
a lot of Schubert's later chamber music. Its especially known for its fourth movement set of variations.
1969 - Itzak Perlman, 24, violin, Pinchas Zuckerman, 21, viola, Jacqueline Du Pre, 24, cello,
Zubin Mehta, 33, bass, Daniel Barenboim, 27, piano.
Fantasy in C major for piano (Wanderer Fantasy), D. 760 (1822) (18 min)
The first of two large Schubert fantasy works for piano, it has four movements. Extremely technically
demanding, Schubert said "the devil can play it" meaning he could not play it well. The main melody,
which appears in all four movements, is from an 1816 Schubert lied, "The Wanderer."
Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 "Unfinished" (1822) (18 min)
A highly romantic symphony with a famous first movement melody, only two movements exist.
Whether the last two movements were lost or never written isn't known.
Octet in F major (1824) scored for clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, and bass) (10 min)
This six movement work for three winds and five strings is much more in the classical style of Mozart
rather than a romantic work.
Day 2 - 1823 - 1827
Rosamunde Overture (1823) (pre-class)
The 10 minute overture from Schubert's incidental music from the play Rosamunde is the most
Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 "Unfinished" (1822) (18 min)
A highly romantic symphony with a famous first movement melody, only two movements exist.
Whether the last two movements were lost or never written isn't known.
Octet in F major (1824) scored for clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, and bass) (10 min)
This six movement work for three winds and five strings is much more in the classical style of Mozart
rather than a romantic work.
Day 2 - 1823 - 1827
Rosamunde Overture (1823) (pre-class)
The 10 minute overture from Schubert's incidental music from the play Rosamunde is the most
famous part of the hour-long work, but much of the other orchestra music is excellent.
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 "Death and the Maiden" (1824) (20 min)
An especially dark work, Schubert composed this after learning he had contracted syphilis. In his era,
there was no cure for the disease and Schubert understood it would eventually kill him. This is the
second of his last three string quartets (Nos. 13, 14, & 15), which are his best works in that genre.
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 "Great C major" (1825-6) (20 min)
Ten years after Schubert's death, Robert Schumann visited Schubert's brother in Vienna and found
the symphony. He got a copy and took it home where it was performed for the first time. Schubert
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 "Death and the Maiden" (1824) (20 min)
An especially dark work, Schubert composed this after learning he had contracted syphilis. In his era,
there was no cure for the disease and Schubert understood it would eventually kill him. This is the
second of his last three string quartets (Nos. 13, 14, & 15), which are his best works in that genre.
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 "Great C major" (1825-6) (20 min)
Ten years after Schubert's death, Robert Schumann visited Schubert's brother in Vienna and found
the symphony. He got a copy and took it home where it was performed for the first time. Schubert
wrote it in a period of good health in remission from syphilis. It is considered a great Romantic Era
symphony.
Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D. 417 "Tragic" (1816) (10 min)
While Schubert's 8th and 9th symphonies are considered his best, Nos. 3 - 6 are also very good
symphonies. His Symphony No. 4 was inspired by Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Both are in C minor.
Rondo in B minor for violin and piano, Rondeau brillant, D. 895 (1826) (10 min)
This was the first piece that Schubert composed for violin and piano since his violin sonata of 1817.
Four Impromptus for piano, D.899 / Four Impromptus for piano, D. 935 (1827)
An impromptu was a new genre of solo piano music in the 1820s. "Impromptu" means spontaneous
or improvised, two ideals of romanticism. These eight works are the first serious work in the genre.
Chopin, Liszt and Schumann would also compose impromptus as well as some 20th century composers.
Trio (No. 2) in E♭ major for violin, cello and piano, D. 929 (1827) (15 min)
The better of Schubert's two piano trios. Especially notable is the beautiful, melancholic cello
melody in the second movement.
Day 3 - 1828, The Final Year
For brief discussion only:
Winterreise (Winter Jouney), D. 911 (1827) His second and last song cycle, maybe his best.
Schwanengesang (Swan Song), D. 957 (1828) A collection 14 of his final songs.
Six moments Musicaux for piano, D. 780 &
Drie Klaverstück, "Three piano pieces)" D. 946 (1828)
Nine more short piano pieces Schubert wrote in his final year. These are mostly impromptus.
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String Quintet in C major, D. 956 (1828; scored for 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos) (15 min)Nine more short piano pieces Schubert wrote in his final year. These are mostly impromptus.
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Discuss and play certain movements:
Piano Sonata in B♭ major, D.960 (1828) (22 min)
Schubert wrote his final three piano sonatas D, 958, D.959 and D. 960 in 1828 and they are considered
his best, with the last considered one of the finest sonatas of the Romantic era, although they were not
very popular until the 20th century.
D. 960 is the first four movement sonata ever to have a slower moderato first movement instead of a
faster, allegro one. Unusually, It also goes on for 9 minutes, then starts again. Throughout the work
Schubert employs unusual key changes and harmonic colorings.
Mass No. 6 in E♭ major for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, choir and orchestra, D. 960 (1828) (13 min)
This mass and its predecessor, Mass No. 5 (1822), are called Schubert's "Late Masses" and are
considered his finest. This one was completed just a few months before his death.
This mass and its predecessor, Mass No. 5 (1822), are called Schubert's "Late Masses" and are
considered his finest. This one was completed just a few months before his death.
Schubert's only string quartet, it has been praised as "sublime", "extraordinary" and as possessing
"bottomless pathos" It is generally regarded as Schubert's finest chamber work as well as one of
.
Fantasia in F minor (for 2 pianos), D. 940 (1828) (20 min)
Schubert's most famous piano work for two pianists. It is one of the most popular Romantic Era
Fantasia in F minor (for 2 pianos), D. 940 (1828) (20 min)
Schubert's most famous piano work for two pianists. It is one of the most popular Romantic Era
piano works.
More Schubert to listen to:
Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6. No. 7 was unfinished and completed by other composers.
Piano Sonatas D. 958 & D.959 from 1828 (More Schubert piano sonatas)
String Quartets No 13, D. 804 "Rosamunde" (1824) and No. 15, D. 810 (1825)
Mass No. 5 (1822)
More Excellent Schubert Chamber Music:
Sonata in A major for violin and piano, D.574 (1817)
More Schubert to listen to:
Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6. No. 7 was unfinished and completed by other composers.
Piano Sonatas D. 958 & D.959 from 1828 (More Schubert piano sonatas)
String Quartets No 13, D. 804 "Rosamunde" (1824) and No. 15, D. 810 (1825)
Mass No. 5 (1822)
More Excellent Schubert Chamber Music:
Sonata in A major for violin and piano, D.574 (1817)
String Trio in B♭ major, D. 581 (1817, 2 versions) Schubert's only completed string trio
Sonata in A minor for arpeggione and piano, D. 821 (1824) (Usually played on cello)
Notturno in E-flat major for piano trio, Op. 148 (D. 897), also called Adagio (1827)
for piano, violin and cello
