I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my theme this year is classical music. Check out the list of other participants by clicking here! U
is for Unfinished Symphony. Today’s
featured video is part of the first movement of Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8
in B minor, the “Unfinished Symphony”. It is performed by the Wiener
Philharmoniker conducted by Carlos Kleiber.
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| Oil painting by Wilhelm August Rieder |
· Franz
Schubert was an Austrian composer who lived from 1797 to 1828.
· As the
name suggests, Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” was never completed. He wrote
the first two movements and part of the third 6 years before his death, but he
became distracted from continuing the symphony and never returned to finish it.
Although, some believe that his fourth movement was the Entr’acte from the incidental
music to the play, Rosamunde.
· Schubert
adored the music of Mozart, he once wrote, “O Mozart! Immortal Mozart! What
countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our
souls!”
· He was
very productive in his short life. In 1815, he wrote nine church works, a
symphony, and 150 songs. Over the course of his life he wrote over 1,500 works,
including 600 songs for solo voice and piano, seven complete symphonies, eight
orchestral overtures, and seven masses.
· Schubert
was known to host musical parties called “Schubertiads” where he would sing and
play his latest songs for his friends. Schubertiads would also include poetry
readings, dancing, and even an occasional picnic or river trip.
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| Schubertiad drawing by Moritz von Schwind |
· Schubert
was one of the torchbearers for Beethoven’s funeral in March 1827. By his own
request, Schubert was buried next to Beethoven when he died in November 1828.
http://www.classicfm.com/composers/schubert/
For this challenge, I’m keeping a playlist of the videos I’m using plus some extras for anyone who wants to hear more. I will update with the latest letter each day. Today’s extra video involves another great “U” in music, the ukulele! In this video, Valéry Sauvage is playing the ukulele for Franz Schubert’s “Die Forelle” (The Trout). The lyrics were written by Francis Blanche and these are not the original lyrics, which Schubert used from a poem about fishing. In Blanche’s version, the narrator comes across a girl who is obsessed with this song. If you are interested, you can click here to read the lyrics in French and English.
For this challenge, I’m keeping a playlist of the videos I’m using plus some extras for anyone who wants to hear more. I will update with the latest letter each day. Today’s extra video involves another great “U” in music, the ukulele! In this video, Valéry Sauvage is playing the ukulele for Franz Schubert’s “Die Forelle” (The Trout). The lyrics were written by Francis Blanche and these are not the original lyrics, which Schubert used from a poem about fishing. In Blanche’s version, the narrator comes across a girl who is obsessed with this song. If you are interested, you can click here to read the lyrics in French and English.
Who, besides me, would love to attend a Schubertiad? Have you ever had a period of extreme productivity?
No, but I'd like a period of extreme productivity. Any day now...
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from
Laws of Gravity
Liz, me too!
DeleteInteresting he wanted to be buried next to Beethoven. I have had a day or two of extreme productivity but not years :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, I feel productive every once in a while, but it never lasts long.
DeleteWow, I'm jealous of his productivity. Did he have kids? Maybe I can use that as my excuse. Plus computer and TV. I need to go hide out somewhere and write. Walden's Pond anyone?
ReplyDeleteTamara, Walden's Pond would be great! And no, he did not have kids, so that's a legitimate excuse :) I don't have kids either, what's mine? Lol.
DeleteThat's a lot of works for someone who barely made it past thirty.
ReplyDeleteAlex, it certainly makes me feel very inefficient in comparison, especially since he was my age when he died.
DeleteI have periods of relative productivity...in fits and starts.
ReplyDeleteGreen, I'm the same way. I often have trouble finishing projects I start in periods of productivity.
DeleteThe perfect choice for your U-post.
ReplyDeleteExtreme productivity? I experienced that in January. At the moment, the A to Z challenge is the focus.
Unless we can include daily posts and visits to blogs productivity? Can we? I'm sure it counts.
Writer In Transit
Michelle, I think it should count! And if it does, I had a few productive days this month :)
Deletewonderful post
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise!
DeleteI know Schubert by some of his pieces that I learned when I took piano lessons. A Schubertiad sounds like fun. Did he actually bring his piano onboard for the river trips or were there lighter alternate instruments used for such excursions?
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Cynthia! He wrote a lot of songs, so he may have just sung them a Capella or maybe they went out on their ventures, then played the music later in the evening.
DeleteI did not realize Schubert died so young. He certainly accomplished a lot though, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteSandra, I think Schubert had the shortest life among the composers I featured, and he accomplished so much!
DeleteIt's like he knew his life was going to be short so he did so much in that lifetime.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, it does appear that way, with all the pieces he composed in such a short time.
Delete