Schubertiade

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Harry Browne

A close up of an 1820s-style Viennese fortepiano.

A newly-built instrument commissioned by the UW School of Music in the style of an 1820s era Viennese fortepiano.

It’s Schubertiade time, Schuberties! This annual UW-Madison Mead Witter School of Music program is an homage to the original Schubertiades that featured the composer himself on the piano, with guest artists gathered around. This year again features two related concerts. The Jan. 26 concert is devoted to “Die Schöne Müllerin,” a song cycle for solo voice and piano based on 20 poems by Wilhelm Müller; performance at 8 p.m. with a pre-concert lecture by Schubert scholar Susan Youens at 7 p.m. The Jan. 28 concert features other songs, vocal ensembles, and chamber music from the same period as the “Müllerin” cycle; concert at 3 p.m. with an intro lecture by Youens at 2:15 p.m. Musicians include Martha Fischer, Bill Lutes, and guests.

UW Mead Witter School of Music annual concerts led by pianists Martha Fischer & Bill Lutes: “Die Schöne Müllerin,” by Schubert, 8 pm on 1/26 (lecture 7 pm); other Schubert works, 3 pm, 1/28 (lecture 2:15 pm).

media release: General admission: $15; general admission Friday/Sunday bundle: $25; students: Free (ticket required).

Pianists Martha Fischer and Bill Lutes will host the 11th annual Schubertiade featuring faculty and students of the Mead Witter School of Music on January 26 and January 28. These concerts are given in the spirit of those legendary evenings that took place in Vienna in the homes and salons of Franz Schubert’s friends and supporters, where they gathered to hear his glorious music, often with the composer himself at the piano.

This year’s Schubertiade encompasses two events, both of which focus on the period between 1822-24, a time when Schubert experienced a terrible crisis in his life, but also composed many of his greatest works. These included the song cycle “Die Schöne Müllerin,” settings for solo voice and piano of 20 poems by Wilhelm Müller, describing the love of a young miller for the “beautiful miller girl” who ultimately rejects him. School of Music graduate students Ryan Nash, tenor, and Aubrie Jacobson, piano, will perform the complete cycle on Friday, January 26 at 8 pm. Tickets include access to a pre-concert lecture with Susan Youens, one of the world’s foremost Schubert scholars, at 7 pm in Collins Recital Hall.

On Sunday, January 28, at 3 pm, the Schubertiade will be devoted to other songs, vocal ensembles, and chamber music from the same period as the “Müllerin” cycle featuring Martha Fischer, Bill Lutes, and guests. Tickets include access to a pre-concert lecture with Susan Youens, one of the world’s foremost Schubert scholars, at: 2:15 pm in Lee/Kaufman Rehearsal Hall .

Schubert was becoming increasingly well-known and his songs were being published and included in public concerts. Then, late in 1822 and the winter of 1823 he was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was hospitalized. Despite this setback, Schubert continued to give the world an extraordinary body of beautiful music, right up to the time of his death at the age of 31. This Schubertiade weekend promises to be a sampling of the richness, intensity, and variety of Schubert’s writing at this pivotal time in his life.

A special feature of this pair of concerts will be the opportunity to learn more about Schubert and his music from Susan Youens, one of the world’s foremost Schubert scholars. She will give pre-concert lectures prior to both events.