Search - Henschel, Schwinghammer :: Schubert: Schwanengesang

Schubert died on 19 November 1828, aged thirty-one. His last months, when he was suffering from syphilis, then typhoid, saw the composition of some of his absolute masterpieces: the Symphony No. 9 (The Great C major), the three Klavierstucke D. 946, the Mass in E flat major, the String Quintet D. 956, the Fantasy in F minor, the last Piano Sonatas D 958-60, and the song cycle Schwanengesang (Swan Song) D. 957, which was published posthumously.
This cycle includes Schubert s most tragic songs, in which he lucidly evokes the imminence of death. Through these poems seven by Ludwig Rellstab, six by Heinrich Heine, plus one by J. G. Seidl Schubert expresses dreams of love, anguish, sorrow, departure, death.
This program presents the very essence of the Romantic soul, from bitter dreams to heart-rending grief. It also shows how Schubert used music to show what is terrible, in order to obtain consolation.