Franz Schubert (1797-1828): composed in large forms (operas, symphonies, etc.) and sought recognition through those. He also composed songs throughout his life, finishing over 600 songs in about 17 years. Schubert studied composition with Antonio Salieri, who pushed him into setting Italian texts. Schubert wished instead to honor the poetry of his home and set contemporary German poets. Some historians have criticized Schubert for being undiscriminating about his choice of texts, saying that he would set anything that came before his eyes. More modern research has shown that, in addition to setting the texts of ÔgreatÕ poets, he set poems written by his friends and acquaintances.
Earlier songs: mostly long, melodramatic ballads, influenced by Zumsteed.
He only composed ballads in the earlier part of his song-writing career.
ÒHagarÕs
KlageÓ D 5 (1811) SchubertÕs first song.
ÒDer
VatermšrderÓ D 10 (1811)
Beginning in 1814, one sees in SchubertÕs songs, the lyricism that we now associate with him.
ÒGretchen
am SpinnradeÓ D 118 (1814). SchubertÕs first setting of a
Goethe poem. Schubert
unifies this song, unlike in any of his previous songs, with a single motive in
the accompaniment, representing the spinning-wheel, which is heard throughout
almost the entire song.
ÒDer
SŠngerÓ D 148 (1815)
ÒErlkšnigÓ
D 328 (1815)
Die schšne MŸllerin D 795 (1823) Song cycle, 20 songs,
(Wilhelm MŸller)
Die
Winterreise D 911 (1827) Song cycle,
24 songs,
(Wilhelm MŸller)
Schwannengesang D 957 (1828) Song set, 14 songs
(Rellstab,
Heinrich Heine)
ÒDer Hirt auf dem FelsenÓ D 965 (1828) soprano with
clarinet obbligato
(W. MŸller)
SchubertÕs last work for solo voice and piano