We have a collection of 9 arrangements for Franz Schubert - Ludwig Rellstab - Schwanengesang, D.957
Who's behind the notes? Discover Franz Schubert: The Prolific Master of Romantic Melody
Franz Schubert's "Schwanengesang," D. 957, is a fascinating and emotionally charged collection of songs that holds a special place in the world of classical music. Here are some interesting facts about this work:
Posthumous Publication: "Schwanengesang," which translates to "Swan Song" in English, is a collection of 14 songs composed by Franz Schubert in the final months of his life. Schubert died in November 1828, and these songs were published posthumously in 1829.
Compilation by a Publisher: The collection was not assembled by Schubert himself but was put together by his publisher, Tobias Haslinger, who selected and organized the songs from Schubert's manuscripts and other sources after the composer's death.
The Myth of a Single Cycle: "Schwanengesang" is often referred to as a song cycle, but it's not a unified narrative cycle like Schubert's famous "Winterreise" or Schumann's "Dichterliebe." Instead, it is a collection of songs set to various poems by different poets, and the themes are diverse, ranging from lost love to nature and death.
Two Poets: The poems in "Schwanengesang" are by two different poets: Ludwig Rellstab and Heinrich Heine. Rellstab's poems make up the first seven songs, and Heine's poems the remaining seven. These poets had distinctive styles and themes, which contributes to the variety of moods in the collection.
Theme of Lost Love: Many of the songs in "Schwanengesang" deal with themes of lost love, longing, and farewell. These themes were especially poignant in Schubert's own life, as he suffered from unrequited love and illness in his final years.
The Infamous "Ständchen" (Serenade): One of the most famous songs in the collection is "Ständchen" (Serenade), which is the fourth song in the Rellstab set. It is known for its beautiful melody and has been a favorite among singers and listeners alike.
Influential on Later Composers: "Schwanengesang" has had a profound influence on later composers, particularly in the Romantic era. The songs are revered for their emotional depth and lyrical beauty, qualities that have inspired subsequent generations of composers.
Evocative of Schubert's Final Months: The songs in "Schwanengesang" reflect Schubert's own emotional turmoil and physical suffering during the last year of his life. His illness, likely syphilis, cast a shadow over his final compositions, infusing them with a sense of resignation and introspection.
Robert Schumann's Review: The renowned composer and critic Robert Schumann wrote a review of "Schwanengesang" shortly after its publication. In his review, Schumann praised the collection for its expressive depth and considered it a testament to Schubert's genius.
Enduring Popularity: Despite being a posthumous collection, "Schwanengesang" remains a beloved and frequently performed work in the classical repertoire. Its songs continue to be cherished for their emotional power and profound connection to the human experience.