Three beautiful Schubert masterpieces

泣きたいときに聴きたい シューベルトの美しい名曲３選 シューベルトの美しさの秘密はどこに？(English) I want to listen to three beautiful Schubert masterpieces when I want to cry. So where is the secret of Schubert's beauty?

I want to listen to three beautiful Schubert masterpieces when I want to cry. So where is the secret of Schubert's beauty?

1)

A lot of music in Schubert's works touches the heart.

It touches the sensitive parts of the heart. At such times, tears flow involuntarily.

2)

Schubert's masterpieces: "Moments Musicaux" D.780 6 songs in total

These are six piano pieces written between 1823 and 1828.

Moments Musicaux (French), Musical Moments (Japanese)

Schubert started writing this piece in 1823.

This is the year after the unfinished symphony.

Around this time, Schubert contracted syphilis, and as he recovered and got worse, he approached death.

3)

Many of the works written during this period are beautiful songs, really transparent and full of transparency.

In Schubert's time, the mainstream was a solid form like a piano sonata.

There is also a tiny piece like Beethoven's "Für Elise", but there is no opus number, and the degree of recognition (importance) is not high.

4)

This is a collection of 6 songs, all written with free ideas.

If each piece had a title, it would look like a romantic piano piece, but Schubert did not.

At the time of the music, the Romantics show signs of being Romantic but do not show the typical Romantic character with titles.

5)

"Moments musicaux" No. 3

This third piece has been famous and known as the "Air Russe" since Schubert's time.

It is performed to a light dance rhythm, but it contains an atmosphere of sadness and mourning.

6)

"Moments musicaux" No. 6

Of the six short pieces, the sixth is the one that touches the heart the most.

When Schubert published it, he wanted it to be a success.

In other words, it was written for a young lady learning to play the piano.

Therefore, there is a view that this song is not too difficult and is written.

7)

For Schubert, music was like a constantly flowing spring.

Although Schubert only lived for 31 years, he continued to compose.

He composed over 600 songs.

8)

Schubert didn't need many sounds to express his thoughts.

For Schubert, it was essential to reach a better world through music.

9)

Schubert leads the audience into a beautiful world in the 6th piece of this musical moment.

You can imagine quiet music with almost no sound when you listen to this song. It's a silent world.

There is a warm, clear light shining through. There is kindness.

At least while listening to this song, he can go to such a world.

10)

Schubert's masterpiece: Piano Sonata No. 21

This is Schubert's last piano sonata.

Schubert died in November 1828, but the piece was composed about two months earlier.

Schubert is a composer often classified as a Romantic.

11)

Many middle-class people, not aristocrats, surrounded Schubert.

In this environment, he created his works, stimulating each other.

Such a way of life was the forerunner of the Romantic period.

Beethoven was supported throughout his life by Archduke Rudolf and other aristocrats.

So Beethoven and Schubert are different lifestyles.

Schubert was a composer who lived in a time of change.

12)

But when it comes to music, Schubert stuck to the classical style to the end.

This has a lot to do with Schubert's musical training with Salieri.

In classical music, his works are untitled.

They are written as Symphony No. 1, Piano Sonata No. 21, etc.

He also emphasised forms, such as the sonata form.

13)

Schubert wrote three piano sonatas in the year of his death.

They are Piano Sonatas Nos. 19, 20 and 21.

These three sonatas are considered to be one in three. That's because there are connections between the movements and the songs.

In the 19th century, however, Schubert's piano sonatas were not well received.

To many, they seemed immature compared to Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas.

14)

In the 20th century, however, it became clear that piano sonatas written in Schubert's language have certain things in common.

It was also discovered that there was a connection with the famous masterpiece 'Winterreise'.

And the last piano sonata, No. 21, is particularly long at 30 minutes.

The second movement of this piece was featured in Richter, a documentary film about the great pianist.

15)

I was fascinated by the deep solitude of this second movement.

The first movement of No. 21 is beautiful, like walking through a misty forest in the early morning.

The air is evident in the early morning.

The quarter-note rhythm reminds me of someone's footsteps, like in the song "Winter Journey".

16)

Piano Sonata No. 21 2nd movement

The second movement has a slower tempo.

It's as if you're lost in deep solitude.

I was wandering in the deep forest as if searching for answers. But, unfortunately, the answer is challenging to find.

But when I noticed it, a little light came in around me.

17)

It illuminates your surroundings brightly and gently.

The moment I noticed the light myself, I don't know why, but tears flowed.

When I listen to this song, I imagine such a scene.

18)

Schubert masterpiece: "Litanei."

I want to introduce the last song that Schubert wrote before he was 20 years old.

He then showed his talent by composing dramatic songs like "The Devil(Erlkönig)" and "Gretchen Spinning Threads".

In contrast, the song "Litanei", written around this time, is full of prayer and kindness.

Its tenderness resembles "Moments Musicaux" and "Piano Sonata No. 21".

19)

Schubert's beauty was not born of illness.

Schubert knew how to reach such a beautiful world from an early age.

So Schubert is a genius.

His illness may have polished him, but the beauty was there initially.

20)

This song, "Litanei", is a prayer song written for All Souls' Day.

All Souls Day = Allerseelen (Germany)

This is a day of prayer for the souls of the deceased in the Catholic Church.

The 2nd of November is All Souls Day.

On this day, the souls of the dead return to Japan, just like Obon in Japan.

R. Strauss also wrote a beautiful song called "Allerseelen" for this day.

21)

The simplicity of this song is similar to the 6th song, "Moments Musicaux".

With a simple melody, she sings, "All souls, rest in peace" while thinking of those who have died.

All Souls' Day is a Christian festival, but this is not a religious song.

It is common for everyone to think of the deceased and pray for their peace.

I feel that Schubert's personal feelings are more substantial than his religious feelings.

22)

In Winterreise, which Schubert wrote in his later years, there is an allusion to death.

The existence of death was familiar to Schubert from his youth.

I think that Schubert knew from a young age that death is inevitable but that there is peace.

And that is one of the attractions of Schubert's music.

23)

Today I want to listen to it when I want to cry! I have presented two beautiful masterpieces by Schubert.

When I feel like crying, I think it's when something like comfort is needed somewhere in my heart.

If you have time, please listen to today's three songs.

I'm sure you'll be able to snuggle up to that kind of heart.

I want many people to experience that through Schubert's music.

Add info)

Sviatoslav Richter

https://narushare.com/sviatoslav-richter/

Sviatoslav Richter, a prominent 20th-century pianist, is celebrated for his powerful technique and extensive repertoire. Born in Zhytomyr, former Soviet Union (now Ukraine), in 1915, he began learning piano from his father, a German pianist and music school teacher. In 1937, Richter entered the Moscow Conservatory and studied under the esteemed piano teacher Genrikh Neuhaus. Richter's reputation flourished despite political obstacles, resulting in performances throughout Eastern Europe and eventually the United States. In addition, he was known for his remarkable memory, versatility, and commitment to discovering and supporting young musicians.

Richter held numerous recitals in Japan, where he was also intrigued by Kabuki theatre. Japan captivated Richter's heart, partly due to the presence of Yamaha, now a globally renowned piano manufacturer.

Some of his highly recommended performances include Chopin's Etude Op.10-4, Debussy's Preludes, and Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 32. Richter's interpretation of Schubert's Sonata, in particular, has led to a reevaluation of specific passages in the piece.

I want to listen to three beautiful Schubert masterpieces when I want to cry. So where is the secret of Schubert's beauty? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC2LaOvhJpk

Richter Introducing the charm and masterpieces of the great pianist Sviatoslav Richter 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaopGVavOAs&t=803s

Sviatoslav Richter 2004.5.14 

https://mizukawa-t.sakura.ne.jp/ongaku-zuisou/richter/richter.html

Schubert Piano sonata No.21 B-dur D.960

Sviatoslav Richter 1915–1997 (1972 REC)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSA-BjDRfdI&t=1356s

Schubert 1797～1827 "Moments Musicaux" D.780

Wilhelm Kempff(Germany)　1895-1991　(1967REC)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PebWU0o_0lM

Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 13 in A major, D. 664 - Mitsuko Uchida

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsWZmIqHq_M

Schubert's early piano sonatas are very underplayed - they were utterly neglected for a century, except his 18th piano sonata, hailed as a "perfect sonata" by Schumann. Standard views were that Schubert's sonatas were vastly inferior to Beethoven's. However, although the great composer influenced him, Schubert maintained his distinct style of piano sonata composition. This sonata is filled with the melodic charm Schubert is known to have - the lyrical and poignant nature fits the image of young Schubert in love, living in the Summery Austrian countryside. Like all her Schubert, Uchida plays the sonata with delicacy, and new phrasing, never letting excitement take over. 

NHK-FM Special Program "Richter Variations" Delicate Giant Richter ~Legendary Pianist in the Iron Curtain~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qv9Z8xO0lc

Elisabeth Schumann（Soprano) （1888- 1952）

Schubert / Litanei　（Jacobi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAQLZWmfczo

Schubert - "Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen" Fischer-Dieskau, Moore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrqIEwQhRMo

Franz Schubert's "Litanei Auf das Fest Aller Seelen", "the prayer-like intensity of which presents one of the greatest tests for a singer of Schubert, since he needs to spin out a seemingly endless legato." (Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Schubert's Songs: A Biographical Study)

Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen

Ruh'n in Frieden alle Seelen,

Die vollbracht ein banges Quälen,

Die vollendet süßen Traum,

Lebenssatt, geboren kaum,

Aus der Welt hinüberschieden:

Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden!

Und die nie der Sonne lachten,

Unterm Mond auf Dornen wachten,

Gott, in reinen Himmelslicht,

Einst zu sehn von Angesicht:

Alle die von hinnen schieden,

Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden!

Johann Georg Jacobi (1740-1814)

Litany for the Feast of All Souls

Rest in peace, all souls

Who, done with anxious torment,

And with sweet dreams ended,

Weary of life, barely born,

Departed from this world:

All souls rest in peace!

And those who never smiled at the sun,

Kept watch on thorns under the moon,

God, in the pure light of Heaven,

To see face to face one day:

All who have departed from hence,

All souls rest in peace!

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)

Gerald Moore (piano)