Franz Schubert
The incomparable Franz Schubert died of typhus on 19 November 1828 at the age of 31 in the city of Vienna, where he was born on 31 January 1797 and was a chorister and pupil of Salieri. His prodigious output was a gift to this world from the son of a lowly schoolmaster who gave him some musical tuition. Schubert fashioned a new art form from the Lied, revealing its potential, and his creative gifts induced a flood of music, much of it never heard by the composer. In general he was not an innovator, but adapted classical forms and language, adding a new emotional dimension. For such a brief life, the quantity and quality of his work is incredible. Thankfully, we are the beneficiaries, especially now that virtually everything of value by Schubert is to be found on record.
A selection of M&V articles about Franz Schubert
CD Spotlight. Shining Through - The classical inheritance of Schubert's Symphonies impresses Andrew Schartmann. '... a fascinating perspective ...'
CD Spotlight. Intimate Style - Schubert's String Quintet in C pleases Stephen Francis Vasta. '... unusually sensitive, freshly considered ...'
CD Spotlight. Tonal Resources - Inesa Sinkevych plays Schubert, heard by Howard Smith. '... pleasingly enterprising.'
Ensemble. Close Encounters - Maria Nockin listens to Yehuda Hanani, Erin Keefe and Jeffrey Swann
CD Spotlight. Wholly Inspiring - A recital by Elaine Huckle, heard by Howard Smith. '... her tonal resources are robust and the delivery pleasingly straightforward.'
Innovative Content - A piano journey on the Danube, with Giuseppe Pennisi
Most Impressive - Bill Newman listens to Swiss-Italian pianist Francesco Piemontesi
Ensemble. New Light - Mozart's Requiem from the Sitwell Singers impresses Mike Wheeler
Superbly Realised - Llyr Williams plays for the Chopin Society UK, heard by Bill Newman
Pianistic Colour - Jong-Gyung Park at Derby Chamber Music impresses Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Angels and Demons - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Sagra Musicale Umbra 2012
Ensemble. The Flame of Music - Malcolm Troup reports on new arrivals from China and Lithuania at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Festival in London
CD Spotlight. Tempting Fate - Songs by Sibelius, Brahms, Schubert and Mahler, heard by Robert Anderson. '... ripe understanding ...'
Ensemble. Very Juicy - Summer Opera in Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Searing Lyricism - Schubert from Cuarteto Casals, heard by Robert Anderson. '... I have enjoyed most the slower movements.'
CD Spotlight. A Curate's Egg - Satie, Glass, Feldman and Schubert, heard by Howard Smith. '... amiable verve ...'
Ensemble. You Won't Find Better Anywhere! - 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court', recommended by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Enchanting Music - The Castalian Quartet and friends, heard by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Drama and Poetry - Schubert late string quartets, recommended by Howard Smith. '... as good as it gets.'
CD Spotlight. A Triumphant Achievement - Diabelli variations by Beethoven and others, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... deft conjuring tricks ...'
CD Spotlight. Avowedly Definitive - John McCabe plays his own 'Tenebrae', heard by Howard Smith. '... imbued with anger and monumental in both structure and outlook ...'
Ensemble. Beauty of Tone - Danill Trifonov's prizewinner's concert from the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Compellingly Memorable - Haydn, Shostakovich and Schubert from the Allegri Quartet, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Total Unanimity - Schubert piano works for four hands, heard by Robert Anderson. '... played with a sensitivity worthy of the music ...'
CD Spotlight. Notable Intensity - Schubert chamber music, heard by Howard Smith. '... expressive breadth and glorious refinement.'
Ensemble. Paying Homage - Nikolai Demidenko plays Schubert at London's Wigmore Hall, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Fabulously Exuberant - Michel D'Alberto plays Schubert, heard by Howard Smith. '... contagious buoyancy and affection.'
CD Spotlight. Stylish Playing - Some recommended commercial recordings, heard by Bill Newman. 'How dare they!'
CD Spotlight. Gorgeous Colours - Schubert from the Tokyo Quartet, heard by Howard Smith. '... a great deal in their favour ...'
DVD Spotlight. Highly Intriguing - The Vienna Boys Choir in the Far East, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. '... a refreshingly different portrait of this hugely versatile group ...'
Ensemble. Pyrotechnic Skills - Lionel Cottet and Louis Schwizgebel-Wang play Beethoven, Schubert, Zanon and Brahms, and impress Bill Newman
Ensemble. Focussed Sound - The Hallé Orchestra plays Schubert, Dvorák and Beethoven, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Wonderful Playing - Christoph Eschenbach and the Vienna Philharmonic visit Brisbane, reviewed by Gillian Wills
Turning Gravity into Grace - Malcolm Troup has three encounters with the sublime
Consummate Artists - Malcolm Troup reports on the BPSE Summer Festival at London's Regent Hall, where for the first time Music, not consumerism, called the shots
DVD Spotlight. Characteristic Schubert - 'Alfonso und Estrella', appreciated by Robert Anderson. '... splendidly sung and played ...'
New Contexts - Malcolm Miller reports on a recent Symposium on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations
CD Spotlight. Subtle Touches - 'Die schöne Müllerin', heard by Robert Anderson. '... a memorable performance.'
Ensemble. Exotic Soundscapes - Two London concerts featuring music from the opera to the orient, attended by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Musical Outlooks - Bill Newman attends a selection of concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
CD Spotlight. A Hint of Bitters - Music by William Ferris, heard by Howard Smith. 'Well worth investigating.'
Ensemble. Unmissable Talents - An array of artists at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman
A Pleasant Evening - Lisa Friend and Mark Kinkaid in recital, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Perfection Itself - Michail Lifits at London's Wigmore Hall delights Bill Newman
Ensemble. Invigorating Performance - The London Mozart Trio impresses Mike Wheeler
Subtly Controlled - Spanish pianist Javier Perianes plays Schubert, Chopin, Debussy and Falla, heard by Mike Wheeler
New Year Blues - A roundup of recent London concerts by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Supreme as Duettist - Schubert for piano four hands, heard by Robert Anderson. '... delicious passagework.'
Ensemble. Cultural Delights - Gerald Fenech visits Slovenia for Festival Maribor
Passport to Heaven - Bill Newman listens to the Russian pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina
DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'
Ensemble. Truly Miraculous - The Emerson Quartet, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Delightfully Entertaining - Mozart, Schubert and Weill, heard by Mike Wheeler
Interpretative Approaches - A recital by Lars Vogt impresses Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Soirées musicales - Mariella Devia and the Twilight of Bel Canto, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Superb Pianism - A London recital by Julian Jacobson, heard by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Better Late than Never - The BPSE Late Summer Festival, attended by Malcolm Troup
Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - The Wihan Quartet at Kings Place, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Vocal Colour - Simon Keenlyside sings Schubert, Wolf, Fauré and Ravel, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a wondrous variety ...'
Beautifully Subtle - Bobby Chen launches Derby Chamber Music's new season, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Pilgrimages of the Soul - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Italy's Sagra Musicale Umbra
CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'
CD Spotlight. Uncharted Waters - Joshua Pierce plays Schubert, heard by Robert Anderson. '... sensitive pianism ...'
Ensemble. Impeccable Standards - Bill Newman's pick of June and July concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. A Remarkable Event - Paul Sarcich visits the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Serious Fun - Lynn Norris looks back at the life of composer, conductor and pianist Aubrey Bowman
Ensemble. Mahler versus Mahler - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Antonio Pappano and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. Highly Inventive - Music by Stephen Foster, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Powers - Orchestral music by Louis Spohr, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Howard Shelley and the Swiss orchestra clearly relish this unusual assignment.'
A Vision of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8 - A poem by J Jean Mayfield
CD Spotlight. A Spectral Atmosphere - Murray McLachlan plays music by Shostakovich and friends, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an outright triumph for the label and for McLachlan.'
Ensemble. A Double Farewell - Henze and Mahler in Rome, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'
Imaginative Heights - Gordon Rumson looks forward to the Calgary Art Song Competition
Ensemble. Lively and Spirited - A performance by Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, heard by Rebecca Schmid
Ensemble. Life-enhancing - Mike Wheeler listens to the Atrium Quartet
CD Spotlight. Exquisitely Nuanced - Steve Davislim sings Vierne and Chausson, recommended by Howard Smith. 'I cannot think of higher praise.'
Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
Ensemble. Unity of Conception - Malcolm Troup was at the BPSE Summer Festival in London
Balancing Act - Beethoven in E flat, with Julian Jacobson and friends
Ensemble. Full Rein - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Evident Sympathy - Major piano works by Schubert, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Lipkin understands well how to respect the silences ...'
CD Spotlight. Sensuality and Freedom - Stokowski conducts Schubert and Dvorák, heard by Béla Hartmann. '... one is never left in any doubt as to the force of the conductor ...'
CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'
CD Spotlight. Easy Listening - Christina Linhardt's 'Voodoo Princess', reviewed by K C Devereaux. 'The only voodoo conjured here is the dread spectre of "Smooth Jazz".'
Ensemble. Humanity and Generosity - Malcolm Miller attends a memorial concert for David Sonin
Ensemble. Full of Vitality - Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Schubert from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Record Box. Haunted Loneliness - Orchestral music by Benjamin Britten, heard by Patric Standford
CD Spotlight. Superbly Cogent - A new recording of Schubert's 'Winterreise', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Steve Davislim and Anthony Romaniuk have earned a place among the highest achievers ...'
Ensemble. A Romantic Style - A lecture-concert by M Zachary Johnson and his ensemble, reviewed by Anna L Franco
CD Spotlight. A Broader Canvas - Chamber music by Sibelius, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... fresh and unfamiliar music, put across with such conviction ...'
CD Spotlight. A Skilful Balance - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... rhythmically brisk, considered performances ...'
Pure Fashion? - Several Composers in Search of an Identity, by Béla Hartmann
Ensemble. A Thrilling Performance - Wagner, Mozart and Schubert from Julian Bliss, Andreas Reiner and the Munich KlangVerwaltung, impresses Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Tonal Understanding - The Belcea Quartet plays Schubert and Beethoven, enjoyed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Dancing Goblins - Music by Bazzini, heard by Howard Smith. '... Hanslip brings it off with suitable aplomb.'
Ensemble. Velvety Tones - Farewell American performances by the Beaux Arts Trio and an Amernet String Quartet recital, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Snap and Crackle - The Artemis Quartet plays music by Beethoven, Stravinsky and Schubert, reported by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Simplicity and Eloquence - Quatuor Ebène plays Haydn, Webern and Schubert, reviewed by Bill Newman
A Perfect Joy - Emanuel Ax plays Beethoven and Schumann, and impresses Bill Newman
Record Box. A Triumph - Matthias Goerne sings Schubert, enjoyed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Highly Promising - Rossini, Schubert and Beethoven from the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Unflagging Energy - Nicola Meecham plays Haydn, Schubert, Ravel, Prokofiev and Gershwin, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Record Box. A Superb Performance - Music by Schubert and his circle, reviewed by Patric Standford
Emotional Extremes - Tchaikovsky, Janácek and Schubert from the Iuventus Quartet, appreciated by Mike Wheeler
Musical Insight - Two piano recitals in Brisbane, reviewed by Gillian Wills
Ensemble. Music of Friends - Malcolm Miller attends a concert in London's Great Chamber of the Charterhouse
Ensemble. Beautiful Playing - More chamber music from the south west of Ireland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. From Strength to Strength - Another day at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, with Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Intelligence and Intensity - Kelly Ferjutz continues her reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Ensemble. Absorption of Influences - A revival of Bloch's early C sharp minor symphony, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. A Degree of Truth - A spring remembrance concert for the Armenian victims of 1915, reviewed by Bill Newman
The Wandering Traveller - Kelly Ferjutz delves further into Richard Wagner and the forthcoming symposium in Ohio
Ensemble. Wondrous Colours - Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung play Schubert, Ravel and Stravinsky, reviewed by Bill Newman
Why Canton? - On the creation of an international Wagner symposium, by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Creative Heritage - Regrets and remedies, the Wigmore way, by Bill Newman
Ensemble. A Yiddish Winterreise - Malcolm Miller reviews a concert to commemorate Holocaust Day
CD Spotlight. Sparkle and Polish - Robin Zebaida plays piano rarities, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... musical appeal is immediate.'
CD Spotlight. A Curious Recital - Paul Calistus-Ashley plays Poulenc, Schubert and Dett, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... verve and sensitivity.'
Ensemble. Flair and Fidelity - A concert by the Aroha String Quartet, enjoyed by Howard Smith
A Name to Remember! - Mikhail Shilyaev at St Martin-in-the-Fields, reviewed by Malcolm Troup
Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman
Recent Releases - Books, paintings and music at a writers' event, reviewed by Anna Franco
Ensemble. Style and concept - Two young pianists of outstanding promise, by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Spirit of friendship - Malcolm Miller admires Schubert and Mendelssohn at the London début of the newly formed piano trio 'Opus 3'
Incandescent conviction - Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven in Littleover, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Passion and yearning - Sujeeva Hapugalle gives a piano recital at London's Leighton House, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Different approaches - Comparing two piano trios on the same day, with Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Schnabel and Richter - Piano music by Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... as varied as the works themselves.'
CD Spotlight. Love and learning - Schubert and Schumann song cycles, reviewed by Robert Anderson, who also pays tribute to the late Eric Sams
CD Spotlight. Entertaining tricks - Cello and violin CDs, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... silken, silvery tone ...'
Ensemble. Rebel to rebel - Beethoven, Berg and others in Cleveland and New York, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Sizzling Prokofiev - A recital by Adam Neiman, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
CD Spotlight. Magisterial command - Jerome Rose plays Schubert, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... surely among the finest readings on record ...'
Ensemble. Engaging and colourful - Bernard Roberts plays music by Stephen Dodgson, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Visions and miracles - Scott Yoo conducts music by Shostakovich, Christopher Theofanidis and Schubert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
European tour - A preview, of sorts, of the Cleveland Orchestra's four-city, three festival visit, by Kelly Ferjutz
CD Spotlight. Eupeptic verve - Viennese music played by the Bruckner Orchester Linz, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... enchanting freedom and flexibility ...'
Ensemble. The transformative power of music - An eloquent Schumann Trio tops the Sarasota Festival, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Total commitment - Lawrence Budmen appreciates the playing of Richard Goode
CD Spotlight. Social circle - Music by Hummel and Schubert, investigated by Robert Anderson. '... virtuoso display.'
Record box. Technical mastery - Basil Ramsey listens to Dohnányi piano music
But the daring! - Gordon Rumson reports on a Paul Badura Skoda recital in Calgary
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - no composers, thank you!
Record box. Propulsion - Schubert piano music played by Zeynep Ucbasaran, reviewed by Basil Ramsey
Reality or invention? - Peter Dale reads from a Liverpool University symposium on the musical work
Ensemble. A memorable occasion - Martino Tirimo at London's Wigmore Hall, prefaced by other thoughts from Bill Newman
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - meanings
Profile. A singing instrument - Martino Tirimo discusses the piano and its music with Bill Newman
Ensemble. Devotion and heroism - Ted and Emi Norrish enjoy a musical weekend in Munich
Ensemble. Warmth and communicability - Bernard Roberts' Romantic pianism launches the Glenilla concert season. Malcolm Miller listens
CD Spotlight - Schubert arranged by Andreas Tarkmann, reviewed by Robert Anderson
CD Spotlight - The journeyman miller. Schubert's 'Die Schöne Müllerin', appreciated by Robert Anderson. 'It will be clear enough by now with what tenderness and sensitivity Werner Güra performs these songs.'
CD Spotlight - An indispensable collection. '... indefatigably intelligent, sensitive and musical.' The final volume of Hyperion's Schubert Edition, explored by Peter Dale
Record box - Full flower. Schubert lieder - Ian Bostridge with Julius Drake, by Basil Ramsey
New twists - Malcolm Miller listens to American pianist John Robilette
Record box - Trawling for treasure. Bill Newman seeks out Golden Age performers now reinstated on CD. BBC Legends and Beecham
Record box - Four-handed music. Igor Kipnis & Karen Kushner, with Basil Ramsey
CD Spotlight - Creative beauty. '... clearly thought through and, as everything under Graham Johnson's direction, entirely convincing.' A visit to the Hyperion Schubert Edition on the anniversary of Schubert's death, with David Wilkins
Planning your collection - Sam Haywood -
Planning your collection - Lukas Vondracek -
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