Franz Schubert 2013

January 28, 2013. Franz Schubert was born on January 31, 1797. We wrote quite extensively about his life, especially his earlier years (this of course is practically a misnomer, as Schubert died tragically young at the age of 31). During his short life he wrote more than 1000 compositions, of which 600 were songs. We think that even if all he wrote were songs, he would still be considered one of the greatest composers ever. His cycles Die schöne Müllerin, written in 1823, and Winterreise, written four years later, contain no less music of the highest order than symphonies of the most gifted composers. Both cycles were originally written for tenor, but are often transposed and performed by other voices. The late Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, a baritone, was one of the greatest exponents (pianists such as Sviatoslav Richter, Alfred Brendel and Murray Perahia performed Schuber’s songs with Fischer-Dieskau). Gute Nacht is the first of the songs in the Winterreise cycle. Here it is performed by the German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, with Daniel Barenboim on the piano (courtesy of YouTube). Fritz Wunderlich was one of the most brilliant tenors of the 20^th century. Unfortunately, like Schubert’s, his life was cut short: he was only 35 when he died in an accident. Still, he left behind a number of exceptional recordings, Die schöne Müllerin being one of them. Here he sings Der Neugierige ("The Inquisitive One"), the sixth song in the cycle. Hubert Giesen is on the piano (courtesy of YouTube). Of course there are many other wonderful songs. Probably one of the most popular is An Die Musik, D. 547. Here it is, in the 1950 recording, sung by the great Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She is accompanied by Edwin Fischer (also courtesy of YouTube).

Mozart's birthday 2013

January 27, 2013. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on this day in 1756, 257 years ago. His genius reigns supreme today as it did 200 years ago, and as it will in 200 years. Here’s one reason why: the finale of Le Nozze Di Figaro: Pace Pace mio dolce tesoro (Now peace, my dearest treasure). Figaro: Bryn Terfel, Susanna: Alison Hagley, Count Almaviva: Rodney Gilfry. It’s followed by Gente gente all'armi all'armi (People, to arms!) for the full ensemble. The Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner conducting (courtesy of YouTube).