🎹Music History – 1750 to 1850 Unit 11 – Schubert's Lieder and Chamber Works

Key Concepts and Context

• Schubert lived during the early Romantic period in music history (1797-1828)
• Composed over 600 Lieder (German art songs) and numerous chamber works
• Bridged the Classical and Romantic eras incorporating elements of both styles
• Influenced by the poetry of Goethe, Schiller, and Heine
• Expanded the expressive possibilities of the Lied genre
  • Used more complex piano accompaniments to convey emotional depth
  • Employed through-composed form to create cohesive musical narratives
• Contributed significantly to the development of chamber music genres (string quartets, piano trios)
• Known for his melodic gift, harmonic innovations, and expressive power

Schubert's Life and Musical Background

• Born in Vienna, Austria in 1797 to a musical family
• Received early musical training from his father and brothers
• Attended the Imperial and Royal City College on a choir scholarship
• Studied composition with Antonio Salieri, the court composer
• Worked as a schoolteacher briefly before dedicating himself to composition
• Composed prolifically despite struggling with poor health and financial difficulties
• Held musical gatherings known as "Schubertiades" where his works were performed
• Died at the age of 31 in 1828, leaving behind a vast output of music

Characteristics of Lieder

• German art songs setting poetry to music for voice and piano
• Fusion of poetry and music to convey emotions and tell stories
• Emphasis on the relationship between the vocal melody and piano accompaniment
  • Piano often plays an equal role in expressing the meaning of the text
  • Use of figurations, motifs, and harmonies to create atmosphere and mood
• Exploration of a wide range of themes (love, nature, death, longing)
• Use of strophic form (repeating music for each verse) and through-composed form (music changes with the text)
• Attention to text painting and musical symbolism to enhance the poetry
• Expansion of the vocal range and expressive possibilities for the singer

Notable Lieder Compositions

• "Erlkönig" (1815) - Dramatic ballad based on Goethe's poem about a father and son pursued by a supernatural being
• "Gretchen am Spinnrade" (1814) - Depicts the spinning wheel and emotional turmoil of a character from Goethe's Faust
• "Die Forelle" (1817) - Playful song comparing a trout to a lover, showcasing Schubert's melodic gift
• "Ave Maria" (1825) - Setting of a prayer from Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake, known for its serene beauty
• Song cycles - Collections of Lieder unified by a common theme or narrative
  • "Die schöne Müllerin" (1823) - 20 songs telling the story of a miller's apprentice and his tragic love
  • "Winterreise" (1827) - 24 songs depicting a lonely wanderer's journey through a winter landscape, exploring themes of despair and alienation

Chamber Music Overview

• Composed works for various chamber ensembles (string quartets, piano trios, string quintets)
• Continued the Classical tradition while introducing Romantic elements
  • Expanded forms, expressive harmonies, and virtuosic writing
  • Incorporated Lied-like melodies and thematic transformations
• Explored the expressive potential of chamber genres to convey emotions and narratives
• Emphasized the interplay and dialogue between instruments
• Contributed to the elevation of chamber music as a serious and respected genre

Significant Chamber Works

• String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden" (1824) - Inspired by Schubert's own song, features dramatic contrasts and a theme and variations movement
• String Quintet in C major (1828) - Masterpiece composed near the end of Schubert's life, known for its sublime beauty and emotional depth
• "Trout" Quintet (1819) - Piano quintet featuring variations on Schubert's Lied "Die Forelle," showcasing his melodic gift and ensemble writing
• Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major (1827) - Expansive work with virtuosic piano writing and expressive string melodies
• "Arpeggione" Sonata (1824) - Originally composed for the arpeggione (a bowed guitar-like instrument), now commonly performed on cello or viola

Musical Innovations and Style

• Expanded the harmonic language, using chromaticism, modulations, and unconventional progressions for emotional effect
• Developed a more lyrical and expressive melodic style, often inspired by his Lieder
• Experimented with form, blending elements of Classical structure with Romantic freedom
  • Used cyclic form, connecting movements through thematic relationships
  • Employed through-composed form in Lieder to create seamless musical narratives
• Explored a wide range of emotions, from intimate introspection to dramatic intensity
• Emphasized the piano as an equal partner to the voice or other instruments
• Used dynamics, articulation, and texture to create contrast and convey meaning
• Incorporated elements of folk music, such as Ländler dance rhythms and yodeling

Legacy and Influence

• Considered one of the greatest composers of the Lied, elevating the genre to new artistic heights
• Inspired future generations of Lied composers, such as Schumann, Brahms, and Wolf
• Contributed to the development of the German Romantic style in music
• Expanded the expressive possibilities of chamber music genres
• Influenced composers such as Mendelssohn, Bruckner, and Mahler
• Rediscovered and championed by later composers and scholars, leading to a resurgence of interest in his music
• Continues to be widely performed, recorded, and studied as a central figure in the Western classical music canon