Composer Study: Schubert

Schubert Notecard Printable

Schubert Full Page Printable

Scripture Printable

General Characteristics of the Romantic Period:

A new interest in nature
Fascination with the past, and stories from an ancient time
Interest in personal feelings
Interest in the infinite and spiritual experiences
Concerts were more and more for ordinary people, not just aristocrats

Characteristics of Romantic Period Music:

Use of more dynamics
Emotions changed within one movement or piece
Music was often “programmatic” or telling a story
New ideas and experiments in harmony and colors
Instruments were changing and more were being invented, so orchestras got larger too

Resources

Schubert playlist on Spotify

Recommended Listening

Piano Music

Impromptu Op. 90, No. 4 (D.899) in A flat Major (played on a replica of the piano that Schubert would have played)

The same piece as above, but played on a modern piano by one of the world’s greatest pianists, Arthur Rubinstein

Impromptu in A flat Major (D.953) (played on a replica of a fortepiano)

Moment Musical Op. 94 (D.780) No. 3 in F minor

Lieder (Songs)

“Gretchen am Spinnrade” (Gretchen at the spinning wheel)

“Die Forelle” (The Trout)

“Ave Maria”

Chamber Music

Piano Quintet in A Major (D.667) “The Trout” – Here is a recording of just the final movement, a set of variations based on the same theme as the song “Die Forelle,” played by some of the most famous musicians of all time.

String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163 (D.956) Schubert wrote this music for string quartet with a second cello added. This recording features Yo Yo Ma as one of the cellists

Symphonic Music

Symphony No. 8 in B minor “Unfinished” played by the Vienna Philharmonic

‘Kyrie’ from Mass No. 6 in E flat (D. 950) – This is the first movement from the Mass. The words are in Latin, and the translation is “Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy”

Early Elementary

Schubert (Famous Children Series)

By Ann Rachlin

Franz Peter Schubert (The Primary Source Library of Famous Composers)

By Eric Michael Summerer

A Little Schubert

By M. B. Goffstein

This looks like a very sweet book for children, but the description says it includes a record, so you might not be able to play it unless you have a record player. Still, a paperback copy would be worth it just for the story.