Brian Newbould Libri

Discusses Schubert's music and how it evolved, and surveys the major events in his life

Focusing on Franz Schubert's compositional techniques, this study delves into the evolution of his unfinished works through the author's practical experiences in creating performing versions. It provides insights into the creative process behind Schubert's music, offering a unique perspective on his artistic development.

Focusing on Franz Schubert's compositional techniques, this study delves into the evolution of his work through the author's practical experiences in bringing his unfinished pieces to life. It provides insights into Schubert's creative process and offers a unique perspective on his musical legacy.

Bringing together two burgeoning concerns in Schubert studies, this volume of essays discusses issues of performance practice that have absorbed both practitioners and commentators in the last quarter century, together with the demythologising of Schubert as man and composer.

Schubert Studies comprises eleven essays by renowned Schubert scholars and performers. The volume sheds light on certain aspects of Schubert’s music and biography which have hitherto remained relatively neglected, or which warrant further investigation. Musical topics include analyses of tempo conventions, transitional procedures and rhythmic organization. There are reassessments of several works, using autograph research, performing experience and other approaches; while assumptions as to the extent of Schubert’s influence on later Czech composers are also brought into question. Concerns with aspects of Schubert’s biography, in particular the social and musical circles in which he moved, come under examination in several essays. The final two chapters deal specifically with the composer’s relationships with women, and the psychological and physiological illnesses from which he suffered. Each of the essays here charts new and existing evidence to provide fresh perspectives on these aspects of Schubert’s life and music, making this volume an indispensable tool for scholars concerned with his work.