More Schubert

My friends, it’s pretty obvious from reading this blog that Schubert is one of my favorite composers. I might even be writing a little analytical paper on “Death and the Maiden” theme and variations for my music theory class. He not only managed to compose symphonies and string quartets that could rival Beethoven in their greatness, but was also history’s greatest songwriter. That said, I cannot say I truly love Schubert when I’ve neglected to recognize a crucial aspect of his music: poetry. Schubert‘s abilities as a melodist were largely inspired by master poets of his time, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Wilhelm Müller. He had this natural propensity to internalize the events of the poetry, and setting the stanzas to music so perfectly that one would believe the stars aligned. One of Schubert’s most beloved works is his Ständchen from Schwanengesang. The “Swan Song,” written around Schubert’s transcendent string quintet and late piano sonatas, isn’t a true song cycle like Der Winterrese or Die Schone Mullerin. In fact, not all of the songs are even by the same poet. But it seems Schubert was enthralled with literature as a profound reflection of life and love. Of course, the Ständchen is a serenade, focusing on love. Here is the English translation of the poem.

Softly my songs plead through the night to you; down into the silent grove, beloved, come to me!

Slender treetops whisper and rustle in the moonlight; my darling, do not fear that the hostile betrayer will overhear us.

Do you not hear the nightingales call? Ah, they are imploring you; with their sweet, plaintive songs they are imploring for me.

They understand the heart’s yearning, they know the pain of love; with their silvery notes they touch every tender heart.

Let your heart, too, be moved, beloved, hear me! Trembling, I await you! Come, make me happy!

With those words, I don’t have to wonder what my beloved song is about. But how well Schubert creates an atmosphere! Those calm staccatos in the accompaniment depict a calm night with a “silent grove” and “slender treetops that rustle in the moonlight.” The sweet song always has a touch of longing, until that wonderful climax when the singer finally implores upon his lover to “come, make me happy!“ It’s just the greatest little song, and it always makes me feel warm inside. The melody has a certain warmth and calm to it as he is trying to reassure his lover, but the perfect amount of restlessness leading up to the climax. How privileged I am to enjoy the genius of Schubert!

Since I love instrumental music, I especially love the Liszt transcription of the Serenade. Strangely enough, I don’t really like Liszt’s original compositions, but his transcriptions are brilliant! Maybe I’ll write about his transcriptions of Beethoven‘s symphonies. I believe the song is perfect as a piano piece, and the implied harmonies and little ornamentations are just perfect. Add the right amount of rubato, and you have something that can turn around any bad day. Here is the performance I listened to:

Now, I’ve been feeling very disconnected from my violin lately. I hope to listen to some solo Bach tomorrow, so that I’ll want to play again. However, it’s OK to admit to myself that violin just isn‘t my greatest priority right now. These performers I listen to have a sort of magic to their music, and my goal is never virtuosity, but to convey the same type of magic that makes classical music so special.