Mertz's transcriptions of Schubert's lieder were influenced not only by Schubert's originals but also by Franz Liszt's piano transcriptions of the same works.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mertz's interest in German literature and composers like Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schubert, and Chopin was balanced by his love for Italian bel canto opera composers Donizetti and Bellini.
Composition History
Mertz's Six Schubert Songs, which are transcriptions of lieder by Franz Schubert, were likely commissioned by the publishers Diabelli and Haslinger.
Composer Biography
Johann Kaspar Mertz, a master of the Viennese Romantic school, was born into a poor family and often struggled with illness and adversity.
Instruments
Many 19th-century guitarists and composers, including Mertz, used guitars with an extended range, transitioning from six-string to eight-string and eventually ten-string instruments.
Recording & Production
The album features three different guitars: a seven-string Mirecourt guitar (ca. 1827), a six-string François Roudhloff guitar (ca. 1830), and an eight-string John Gilbert guitar (1980).
Historical Context
In the first half of the 19th century, Vienna was a global musical center, especially for the guitar, with many outstanding guitarists performing for the city's elite.
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