Weekend Concert 4: The Supreme Instrumental Master -- Schubert
2006/8/11 12:30:43
The most misguided honorary title in music history is probably Schubert's "King of Song," because this title's radiance obscures the substance of a supreme instrumental master. Indeed, in the realm of art songs, Schubert is one of a kind. But in the instrumental realm, he is also at least one of history's supreme masters. Apart from Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, Schubert's instrumental achievements are enough to tower over everyone else.
Moreover, when Schubert left the world before age 32, at the same age, Bach and Beethoven had both only just begun their true creative work. Mozart's proudest achievements also came after 32 -- without "The Magic Flute," without the "Requiem," without Symphonies No. 40 and 41, Mozart's stature would have to be diminished somewhat. And Schubert, in the last few months of his life -- leaving aside the greatest vocal work "Swan Song" -- from an instrumental standpoint alone, wrote the greatest C major Quintet, the F minor Fantasy, the three finest piano sonatas, the first three movements of the Ninth "Great" and Tenth Symphonies. Any one of these works, completed alone, would be enough to ensure eternal fame in the history of world music!
No one has ever left humanity with as much hope and regret as Schubert. If only Schubert could have lived to the age of Mozart, Chopin, or Bizet, the brilliance of his achievements would be beyond imagination -- to say nothing of reaching the ages of Beethoven or Bach. Everyone else said what they had to say, but all of Schubert's was only the beginning -- and then it ended.
But even as a beginning, Schubert left the world over 1,000 works, including over 600 art songs, a dozen-plus symphonies (including partial sketches), a dozen-plus operas, over 20 piano sonatas, a dozen-plus string quartets, a large body of chamber music (including impromptus, four-hand works, trios, etc.), as well as many choral and religious works. If there is one unique miracle in the history of world music, it is: Schubert. Even Mozart -- because he had more or less said what he needed to say, and we can at least foresee what he might still have said -- but Schubert is different. Unforeseeable yet possessing the greatest possible aspiration -- only this can constitute a true miracle!
Today's program features works that could never be heard in a single real concert, because they're all large pieces that wouldn't be put together in one performance. They include the most outstanding Cello Sonata, the greatest B-flat major Piano Sonata after Beethoven, the unprecedented and greatest C major String Quintet, and the symphony whose very name is "The Great" -- the Ninth "Great" Symphony!