Franz Schubert

Highlights of his life:  Born January 31, 1797  Father was a schoolmaster  Showed great aptitude for music  Gathered for “Schubertiads” (music parties)  Wanted to write a successful opera  Known as a songwriter

Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria.

His father was a schoolmaster. He was taught to play music by his father. At the age of 11, he became a choir boy in the chapel, receiving a good education.

Schubert worked for some time as a teacher at his father’s school. At the age of 20, he devoted himself to music.

He had always a small group of friends and admirers.

He lived with one or another of his friends. Meanwhile he produced music of great charm and liveliness.

He was poor all his life, his genius unrecognized.

Schubert was the first great composer of art song. He composed more than 600 songs.

An art song is a solo vocal song with piano accompaniment. It is the union of poetry and music.

Celebrated songs: Art Songs Hedge Rose, ErlkingSong-Cycles The Fair Maid of the Mill, The Winter Journey

Draw a quick picture of Schubert. Put his birth and death dates under his picture ( ) Write 3 things you remember about him under his picture.

Overture to Rosamunde This was not originally written as an overture to the play, Rosamunde. Schubert originally wrote it for an opera, Alfonsa and Estrella.

Let’s go over the themes first. There are 4 main themes we’ll listen for.

Drums play softly triangles play softly finger cymbals play softly tone blocks play softly

Now, let’s listen and PLAY!

Introduction 0-0:26

:27

Transition: 333 Repeat 3 times 1:01

1:12 Slight VARIATION

Transition: 333 Repeat 6 times 1:44

2:

2:16

pp (pianissimo) 2:22

2:27

. (4 times) 2:45

3:10 Repeat to * *

3:33 : : : Some variation at the end of the second repeat

pp (pianissimo) 4:12

4:29 :

5:06 Development rhythmic and melodic ideas 3 times

5:39 LOUDER! ff 4 beats 4 times

6:07 BIG ENDING?!?! ff - fortissimo pp - pianissimo There’s MORE!

6:29

6:54 : : : With variation

7:31 d e c r e s c e n d o

Strings announce the next theme 7:41

7:48 :

8:25 3 times Transition:

8:58 LOUDER! ff 4 beats 4 times

9:30 Here comes the ending!!!!  

cr e s c e n d o 4 times 9:50

9:57 2 times

10:12 3 times

The End 10:19 (4 times)

10:23

THE END 10:28