Lecture Course: Schubert's Song Cycles

The four-part course presented by Pauline Greene, linked to the Paul Lewis concerts on June 21 and 23. The early nineteenth century saw composers beginning to use music to paint the pictures that poetry suggested. Beethoven was the first to group a set of songs together to tell a story and Schubert wrote two sets which can truly be called song cycles. Through the songs of 'Die schöne Müllerin' this study series explores how often simple vocal tunes and piano accompaniments do everything from setting the scene to communicating emotions, from joy to despair. (Note: tickets to Paul Lewis's recitals not included.)