Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Schubert at school

Donald Macleod explores the years around the composition of Schubert鈥檚 Tenth String Quartet, the work of an ambitious young teenager.

Donald Macleod explores the years around the composition of Schubert鈥檚 Tenth String Quartet.

Franz Schubert鈥檚 short life spanned a crucial period in music history as the elegant, classical stylings of Mozart and Haydn were giving way to the drama and passion of the romantic era. Schubert came to embody that transformation, in music that was all about personal expression and individual inspiration. This week, Donald Macleod throws the spotlight on Schubert鈥檚 chamber music and explores the stories around five key works for small ensembles.

Schubert wrote his tenth string quartet in 1813 while still a teenager, as the introverted schoolboy was growing into a young man with a dream to be a full-time composer. He attended the Choir School of the Imperial Court Chapel in Vienna where he joined the school orchestra and encountered the music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. His school reports were good and he was singled out for special praise for his exemplary application to the art of music but he quickly outgrew the place and determined to leave so he could pursue his musical ambitions elsewhere.

Pensa, che questo istante, D76
Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano
Andras Schiff, piano

Symphony No 2 in B flat major, D125 (III. Menuetto & IV. Presto vivace)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Karl B枚hm, conductor

Fantasie in G minor, for four hands, D9
Yaara Tal, piano
Andreas Groethuysen, piano

Kyrie in D minor, K49
Helen Donath, soprano
Lucia Popp, soprano
Brigitte Fassbaender, mezzo
Peter Schreier, tenor
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
Bavarian Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra
Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor

String Quartet No 10 in E flat major, D87
Sorrel Quartet

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for 主播大秀 Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Feb 2021 12:00

Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Pensa, che questo istante D 76

    Performer: Sir Andr谩s Schiff. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 440 297-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 16.
  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony No 2 in B flat major, D 125 (3rd & 4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Karl B枚hm.
    • DG : 419-318 2.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 7.
  • Franz Schubert

    Fantasie in G minor, for four hands, D 9

    Performer: Yaara Tal. Performer: Andreas Groethuysen.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : SK-68243.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 2.
  • Franz Schubert

    Kyrie in D minor, D 49

    Performer: Peter Schreier. Singer: Helen Donath. Singer: Lucia Popp. Singer: Brigitte Fassbaender. Singer: Dietrich Fischer鈥怐ieskau. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Choir: Bavarian Radio Chorus. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.
    • EMI : 0-28474-2.
    • EMI.
    • 2.
  • Franz Schubert

    String Quartet in E flat major, D 87

    Ensemble: Sorrel String Quartet.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-9700.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 1 Feb 2021 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.