Schubertiaden

Painting by Julius Schmid “Schubertiaden”, 1897



January the 31st, 2016


Today, on January the 31st, 219 years ago (in 1797), Austrian Composer Franz Schubert, now regarded as one of the greatest composers of late Classical and early Romantic eras, was born. During his short, but very productive life (he died aged only 31!) he was well known in a close-knit circle of artists and students. Only once Schubert gave an official performance, but informal evenings (the so called Schubertiaden) were held on regular basis by his wealthy admirers, in which Schubert himself frequently participated. Such an evening can be seen in the picture – have a look at the intensity of discussion! The composer did not reached wide recognition in his lifetime, and he always experimented, never pouring his charming musical ideas into conventional molds. Maybe this is the subject so fiercely discussed in the picture?

And this impromptu, so expressive, playful and unexpected, could definitely be heard in such an evening... F. Schubert - Impromptu Op.142 (D.935) No.4 in F Minor - Alfred Brendel.

And here is an alloy of three geniuses – Franz Schubert, Franc Liszt and Vladimir Horowitz. “Ständchen” (Serenade), written on 1826, was originally composed for piano and voice, was masterly transcribed for solo piano. And how immensely subtle, nuanced and mature is Horowitz’s playing – it must be the one of the most beautiful interpretations of this famous melody. The recording was made on 1989, just a month or so before the pianist’s death.

It is interesting to note that many of Schubert’s works were hidden in his own chests or in the houses of his relatives, and the participants of such evenings, the faithful admirers of his music, greatly contributed to that they would be found and received recognition they deserved.