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Chapter 4 Franz Peter Schubert
(1797-1828, died at 31 years old)
Why did I choose Schubert for Chapter 4? The year before last, 2020, is the year of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, and last year, 2021, is the year of the Chopin International Competition for the first time in five years. Thus, there were a lot of TV and radio broadcasts of music relating to these composers. I was little tired of listening to Beethoven and Chopin during that time, but since I did not have many opportunities to listen to Schubert's work, I wanted to listen to Schubert more carefully.
Born in Lichtental near Vienna, Schubert was the fourth child of 14 children of the first wife of his father who was a teacher with a family background of peasant. His father and brothers gave basic musical lessons to young Schubert, and at the age of 12, he entered the theological school (Konvikt) as a member of the children's choir of the Royal Chapel. He completed the course from elementary school to high school and was given specialized education in music. He left Konvikt at the age of 16 and started composing while attending a normal school (to become a teacher) with the help of his father financially as he did not seem to be particularly talented as a performing musician. While working as a music teacher, he made a living with the support of his disciples. Schubert was inspired by the soprano singer of his composition Misa in G minor, Therese Grob, who premiered it at the church in Lichtental, but his shy personality was an obstacle to the relationship. After his unrequited love to Therese Grob, when he was around 19 years of age, he started to compose “Symphony No. 4”, “No. 5”, “Lichtental”, “Death and the Maiden”, and so forth, and he has already established Schubert's style as a German Lied composer.
At the age of 20, Schubert became a good friend of Johann Vogel, a baritone singer, 20 years older than he was, whom he met through the introduction of a poet, F. Showbar, to whom Schubert had been deeply indebted for a long time. Schubert's Lied (songs) were well received in Vogel’s premier public performance. With the help of his good friends, his fame gradually increased, and Schubertiade, a group of friends centered around Schubert, was formed.
In his late twenties, he composed one after another, including “Die Schöne München” and “Winterreise” and “Symphony No. 7 - Unfinished”. When Schubert was 30 years old Beethoven died in March of that year, and he participated in the funeral with a torch. In September of that year, he visited Graz and held his own concert while leading a comfortable life and vigorously composing music, including “Impromptus” and “Moments Musicaux.” He made an enormous success at the recital in March of the following year, and he earned a huge sum of money for the first time. He paid off his debts, treated his friends, bought his long-sought new piano and spent them all. In October of that year, Schubert set out on a journey to visit Haydn's grave. After that, his health deteriorated sharply, he was diagnosed with typhus in November, and died soon after. He was buried near the grave of his beloved Beethoven as he said in his deathbed.
I remember that my school music instructor said Symphony No. 8 “The Great” takes too long to listen to at once, however at my age now, the length is exactly right. It is a great piece of music with soothing tunes. I feel particularly calm when I listen to the performance of the Berlin Philharmoniker Orchestra conducted by Karl Böhm, and by the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Zinman (2009). Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” is not an inferior music, but the subtitle of “Unfinished” makes me feel that it would be a luxury if I could listen to the music a little longer. No. 2 is Mozart-like, but when it comes to No. 4 “Tragic”, the heavy sound of Beethoven-like strings can be heard everywhere.
The piano piece “Six Moments Musicaux” has beautiful tunes reminiscent of songs, and especially No. 3 (F minor) has been loved by the public since it was used for the opening of NHK's music program. The piano quintet “The Trout” is truly a masterpiece. The recordings by Yang Panenka (piano) and Smetana Quartet will shake my soul every time I listen. Piano Trio No. 2 (even its key is major) has sad minor tunes flow everywhere, and it is a masterpiece. The final Piano Sonata No. 21 is a supreme masterpiece that deserves to be truly a sacred heavenly music.
String Quartet No. 14 “Death and the Maiden” is a masterpiece of the mature period of his later years with intense emotional manifestations. Arpeggione Sonata (D821) performed by the ancient instrument, Arpeggione, is a wonderful piece of music that I can understand its goodness. I enjoy listening to it when having a leisurely Sunday breakfast.
The songbook “Beautiful Water Wheelhouse Girl” performed by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who is an excellent singer, I can listen to all the beautiful songs in which the rugged German pronunciation is arranged in order. The songbook “Winter Journey” is a song by Hans Hotter. I have listened to all the songs several times, but honestly, I do not really like it because it is a dark song except for “Good night,” “Bodhi,” and “Spring dream.” I also listened to all the songs of “Winter Journey” by Christian Gerhaher (baritone) and Gerold Huber (piano), who are artists of our time. They are much easier to listen, and the lyrics are convincing. “Winter Journey” was composed one year before the composer's death. Do the songs express anxiety, fear, and despair about death?
According to Einstein, Schubert became a great composer because the duets are a sign of friendship ... and there are many fine works for piano duets. Schubert's music is simple yet highly artistic.
Schubert says, “When I sing love, it is distress. When I sing distress, it is love.”
For your reference, the table below shows the list of works by the composer that I listened to.
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