Schubert's friend Josef von Spaun noted that the composer was deeply affected by the songs of Winterreise, stating they "affected me more than any of my other songs."
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in January and May 2011 at Teldex Studio Berlin, with Martin Sauer as artistic director and René Möller handling sound engineering and editing.
Compositional Technique
Winterreise is notable for its unprecedented length for a song cycle, lasting over seventy minutes, compared to Schubert's longest piano sonatas which are forty-five minutes.
Critical Reception
At its first private performance, Schubert's friends were "quite baffled by the gloomy atmosphere" of Winterreise, with one friend, Schober, only liking one song, "Der Lindenbaum."
Composition History
Schubert began composing Winterreise in February 1827 after discovering a cycle of twelve poems by Wilhelm Müller, a poet who had previously inspired his song cycle Die schöne Müllerin.
Cultural Impact
During World War II, Winterreise was sung by both German and exiled German singers, including Hans Hotter and Lotte Lehmann, reflecting the shared human experience of suffering and longing.
You might also enjoy...
Schubert: Schwanengesang
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Live at Théâtre de l'Athénée)
Schubert : Die Schöne Müllerin/Winterreise
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25, D. 795
Schubert: Winterreise
Schubert: Schwanengesang, D. 957
Schubert: Winterreise D. 911, Op. 89
Schubert: Winterreise
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin, Op.25 D.795
Schubert: An die Musik, D. 547
Schubert: Schwanengesang
Schubert: Winterreise
Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911: No. 11, Frühlingstraum
