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Donald Macleod introduces a piano sonata containing some of Schubert's most sombre music to-date and, in contrast, his genial and ever-popular Octet.

At the end of 1822, the 25-year-old Viennese composer Franz Schubert discovered he was suffering from a disease for which there was no known cure. He had just six years left to live but in that time he wrote some of his greatest masterpieces. Donald Macleod introduces some of the remarkable works from those years beginning with a piano sonata containing some of Schubert's most sombre music to date and, by way of complete contrast, his genial and ever-popular Octet.

Lachen und Weinen D777
Arleen Auger (soprano)
Lambert Orkis (fortepiano)

Gondelfahrer D809
John Mark Ainsley, Jamie MacDougall (tenors)
Simon Keenleyside (baritone)
Michael George (bass)
Graham Johnson (piano)

'Weit über glanz und Erdenschimmer' (Fierrabras, Act II)
Florinda, Cheryl Studer (soprano)
Maragond, Brigitte Balleys (mezzo)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Conductor, Claudio Abbado

Piano Sonata in A minor D784
Stephen Hough

Trockne Blumen (Die schöne Müllerin, No.18)
Matthias Goerne (baritone)
Christophe Eschenbach (piano)

Octet (Final movement)
Vienna Octet.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 24 Aug 201518:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Lachen und Weinen D.777

    Performer: Lambert Orkis. Singer: Arleen Augér.
    • Virgin Classics: VC91195-2.
    • Virgin Classics.
    • 13.

  • Franz Schubert

    Lachen und Weinen D.777

    Performer: Lambert Orkis. Singer: Arleen Augér.
    • Virgin Classics: VC91195-2.
    • Virgin Classics.
    • 13.

  • Franz Schubert

    Gondelfahrer D.809 for male voices and piano

    Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: John Mark Ainsley. Singer: Jamie MacDougall. Singer: Simon Keenlyside. Singer: Michael George. Choir: Schubert Chorale of London. Conductor: Stephen Layton.
    • HYPERION : cdj-33035.
    • HYPERION.
    • 10.

  • Franz Schubert

    Gondelfahrer D.809 for male voices and piano

    Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: John Mark Ainsley. Singer: Jamie MacDougall. Singer: Simon Keenlyside. Singer: Michael George. Choir: Schubert Chorale of London. Conductor: Stephen Layton.
    • HYPERION : cdj-33035.
    • HYPERION.
    • 10.

  • Franz Schubert

    Fierrabras - opera in 3 acts D.796

    Singer: Cheryl Studer. Singer: Brigitte Balleys.
    • DG RECORDS : 427-341-2.
    • DG RECORDS.
    • 3.

  • Franz Schubert

    Sonata in A minor D.784 for piano

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Schubert Piano Sonatas.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.

  • Franz Schubert

    Sonata in A minor D.784 for piano

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Schubert Piano Sonatas.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.

  • Franz Schubert

    Die Schone Mullerin - song-cycle D.795 - no.18; Trockne Blumen

    Performer: Christoph Eschenbach. Singer: Matthias Goerne.
    • Harmonia Mundi : 901995.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 19.

  • Franz Schubert

    Die Schone Mullerin - song-cycle D.795 - no.18; Trockne Blumen

    Performer: Christoph Eschenbach. Singer: Matthias Goerne.
    • Harmonia Mundi : 901995.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 19.

  • Franz Schubert

    Octet (Minuet and Finale) in F major D.72 for wind - Allegro (Finale)

    Ensemble: Vienna Octet.
    • DECCA : 430-516-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 6.

  • Franz Schubert

    Octet (Minuet and Finale) in F major D.72 for wind - Allegro (Finale)

    Ensemble: Vienna Octet.
    • DECCA : 430-516-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 6.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 2 Feb 201512:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Mon 2 Feb 201518:30
    BBC Radio 3
  • Mon 24 Aug 201518:30
    BBC Radio 3

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