September, 1827 -- Schubert traveled to Graz, Austria to visit his old friend. He worked on his lieder (songs) there -- the second part of Winterreise and he left a sketch of Die Nebensonnen with his hostess.
Graz and Viennese composer, Schubert had had a small connection before this visit. Four years earlier he had given his manuscript of the famous Unfinished Symphony to his friend in Graz, and the manuscript remained at the Graz Musikverein, unknown to the musical world. 43 years later it was premiered in Vienna.
In this photo is where he stayed in Graz. It's on Herrengasse, between Hauptplatz and Jakominiplatz.
Here's a better picture of the Schubert plate on the balcony.
Graz and Viennese composer, Schubert had had a small connection before this visit. Four years earlier he had given his manuscript of the famous Unfinished Symphony to his friend in Graz, and the manuscript remained at the Graz Musikverein, unknown to the musical world. 43 years later it was premiered in Vienna.
In this photo is where he stayed in Graz. It's on Herrengasse, between Hauptplatz and Jakominiplatz.
Here's a better picture of the Schubert plate on the balcony.
He later wrote to his hostess to thank her, said his visit was "the happiest days I have had for a long time". A year later he tried to fit in a short holiday in Graz but his financial and health conditions didn't corporate. Schubert passed away shortly after, at age 31.
I feel that I connect with Schubert's music, more easily than with other composers' (not that it's easy to play his music!). One of the things that makes me feel that way is his repetitions! His melodies get repeated MANY times. When I was coaching his "Cello Quintet" (string quintet for two violins, viola and two cellos -- great, great piece!) I asked my students why those melodies keep coming back. They thought for a while, couldn't really come up with an idea. My suggestion was "Don't you want to repeat important messages? Like... I do in lessons?" There I noticed I almost always repeat the most important part. It's probably annoying for kids but I keep doing that...
I especially like Classic to early Romantic period and Schubert fits right in there. He is, actually, the first "early Romantic" composer, I would say (we need to exclude Berlioz here). For lots of reasons, I love Schubert.
I feel that I connect with Schubert's music, more easily than with other composers' (not that it's easy to play his music!). One of the things that makes me feel that way is his repetitions! His melodies get repeated MANY times. When I was coaching his "Cello Quintet" (string quintet for two violins, viola and two cellos -- great, great piece!) I asked my students why those melodies keep coming back. They thought for a while, couldn't really come up with an idea. My suggestion was "Don't you want to repeat important messages? Like... I do in lessons?" There I noticed I almost always repeat the most important part. It's probably annoying for kids but I keep doing that...
I especially like Classic to early Romantic period and Schubert fits right in there. He is, actually, the first "early Romantic" composer, I would say (we need to exclude Berlioz here). For lots of reasons, I love Schubert.
