Customer Reviews

Franz Schubert - Winterreise / Over the Top with Franz

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This video was done very well and the performance of Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake were amazingly wonderful. The format was certainly ahead of it's time, sparing the viewer another boring recital rendition. I give it "A" for connecting the viewer with the music, but there is always room for improvement. I would like to see an even more contemporary music-video performance of the Winterreise cycle.

Franz Schubert - Winterreise / Over the Top with Franz Schubert completed the song cycle Winterreise, based on songs by Wilhelm Muller, in October of 1827 at the age of 30, one year before his death. He was to complete his Ninth Symphony (D 944) in his last year, as well as the String Quintet in C major (D 956) and the sad and lovely last three piano sonatas (D 958, 959 and 960).
Schubert was a sick man when he composed Winterreise: this is composition by a man who knew he did not have long to live. This riveting and unconventional DVD with Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake performing and directed by David Alden gives a vivid interpretation of Schubert's state of mind during his last year. Highly recommended.
Despite his short lifetime, Schubert composed over 600 lieder. This song cycle and his last three piano sonatas are my favorites.
Just one note of caution: the English translation on this DVD gives Lindenbaum as Oak Tree. The Lindenbaum is a large flowering deciduous tree of the genus Tilia famous in German poetry and song. The grandest boulevard in Berlin is named Unter den Linden. The most common translations of Lindenbaum are Linden Tree or (mostly in England) Lime Tree.