(May 2019) Episode 215 of my “opus project” is FRANZ SCHUBERT. Arguably the most productive composer ever — more than 1,000 works even though he died at age 31 (this was a loooooong episode). The majority of these are secular songs (lieder), the genre for which he is probably the most famous, although they are not my cup of tea. Bridging the Classical and Romantic eras, he composed in pretty much every genre; I enjoyed his chamber music the most. But despite his genius and continued inclusion in contemporary repertoires, it is curious that few of his works endure in the public consciousness, with the obvious exception of Ave Maria and maybe the fish song.
Favorite piece: Symphony No. 9 (Great C major)
Favorite string quartet: No. 13, Rosamunde
Favorite quintet: Quintet in A major
Favorite large chamber piece: Wind Nonet “Franz Schuberts Begräbniß-Feyer”
Echoes of Beethoven’s 7th, 2nd movement: Eight Variations on an original theme in A♭ major for piano duet
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 