This week the School of Music will pay tribute to a composer who survived hand-to-mouth during his lifetime yet achieved international acclaim after his death, a composer who produced well over 600 works during his short years yet is known for the piece he didn't finish.
The Yale three-day celebration in honor of Franz Schubert 1797-1828 will begin exactly 200 years after date of the composer's birth, Jan. 31. School of Music faculty will perform Schubert's pieces for chamber ensembles as well as voice and piano, and the event will feature a discussion of the poets who inspired Schubert's songs.
The son of a schoolteacher, Schubert began to compose music in his early teens. In fact, his first acknowledged masterpiece, the song "Gretchem am Spinnrade" "Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel", was written when the composer was 16 years old. Schubert was heavily influenced by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, but is now known for his unique use of melodies in his works. His compositions include more than 600 songs, nine symphonies -- the last famous for having been left unfinished at the composer's death -- numerous operas and over 20 quartets, as well as pieces for chamber music ensembles and soloists. Although he had a devoted circle of friends and supporters in Vienna, Schubert was not a popular success during his lifetime and led a meager existence. He died at age 31 even younger than Mozart as a result of the syphillis he'd contracted during his 20s.
The schedule for the Schubert Bicentennial Celebration is as follows. All events are free and open to the public.
Friday, Jan. 31 -- Violinist Syoko Aki and pianist Joan Panetti will perform "Sonatina in a minor, Op. 137, D. 385," "Rondeau Brilliant, D. 895" and "Fantasy in C Major, D. 934" at 8 p.m. in Morse Recital Hall of Sprague Memorial Hall SMH, 470 College St.
Saturday, Feb. 1 -- Cyrus Hamlin, chair of the department of Germanic languages and literatures and professor of German and comparative literature, will present a pre-concert conversation titled "Schubert and His Poets: Whose 'Swansong'?" at 7 p.m. in Sudler Recital Hall Rm. 201 of William L. Harkness Hall adjacent to SMH. A concert featuring baritone Richard Lalli, pianist Sara Laimon, violinist Wendy Sharp and cellist Pansy Chang performing "Schwanengesang, D. 318" and "Piano Trio in B-Flat Major, D. 898" will be held at 8 p.m. in Morse Recital Hall, SMH.
Sunday, Feb. 2 -- Pianists Donald Currier and Ward Davenny will present four-hands renditions of "Four Polonnaises, D. 599," "Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 617," "Rondo in A Major, D. 951," "Andantino Varie, D. 814" and "Two Marches caracteristiques in C Major, D. 968b" at 5 p.m. in Morse Recital Hall, SMH.