Schubert's first successful Lied, Gretchen am Spinnrade,
was composed in 1814. It sets a selection of text from Goethe's Faust. In
the song, Gretchen is singing while sitting at her spinning wheel, lost in
daydreams about Faust. Schubert's setting is ingenious and shows his masterly
skill in capturing both mood and imagery in his songs. Throughout the song, the
piano accompaniment depicts Gretchen's spinning wheel. The motion of the
revolving wheel is imitated by the consistent sixteenth notes in the right
hand, while the back and forth motion of the foot treadle is heard in the
eighth notes of the left. At the climax of the song, when Gretchen is lost in
the thought of Faust's kiss, the spinning wheel stops and the moto perpetuo of
sixteenth notes comes to a sudden halt. Realizing she has become overly
distracted, Gretchen hesitantly begins again.Joseph
DuBose
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Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Franz Schubert
Gretchen am Spinnrade (tr. Liszt) Play
Recorded on 03/22/1987, uploaded on 02/10/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Schubert's first successful Lied, Gretchen am Spinnrade, was composed in 1814. It sets a selection of text from Goethe's Faust. In the song, Gretchen is singing while sitting at her spinning wheel, lost in daydreams about Faust. Schubert's setting is ingenious and shows his masterly skill in capturing both mood and imagery in his songs. Throughout the song, the piano accompaniment depicts Gretchen's spinning wheel. The motion of the revolving wheel is imitated by the consistent sixteenth notes in the right hand, while the back and forth motion of the foot treadle is heard in the eighth notes of the left. At the climax of the song, when Gretchen is lost in the thought of Faust's kiss, the spinning wheel stops and the moto perpetuo of sixteenth notes comes to a sudden halt. Realizing she has become overly distracted, Gretchen hesitantly begins again. Joseph DuBose
More music by Franz Schubert
Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960, Op. post.
Moment musicale in F minor Op.94 No.3
Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 30, D617
Three Piano Pieces (Drei Klavierstücke), D. 946
Introduction and Variations on a theme from Müllerlieder op. 25, Op. 160
Frühlingsglaube (arr. Liszt)
Notturno
Erlkönig (arr. Liszt)
Rondo in A Major D438 for violin and string orchestra
Ave Maria
Performances by same musician(s)
Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2
Hommage à Rameau, from Images, Book 1
Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
Canzona serenata, from Forgotten Motives Op. 38
Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op. 41, No. 4
Le rappel des oiseaux (Bird Calls)
Etude Op. 10, No. 8 in F Major
Prelude Op. 32, No. 5, in G Major
Mélodie d'Orfée (tr.Sgambati)
Intermezzo in c-sharp minor, Op. 117, No. 3
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.