Schubert

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Die schöne Müllerin
Although Schubert is supposed to have played the guitar and many songs of his songs were published with alternative guitar accompaniments, the only known piece he wrote for the guitar is an accompaniment of an occasional Cantate composed to commemorate his father’s name-day. Nevertheless, Schubert must have been using the guitar while composing Die schöne Müllerin (The Fair Mill-maid). The score is idiosyncratic to the guitar: the movement in the right- as well as the left-hand of the piano part, and the seemingly perfect fit to the six-stringed instrument can not be a mere coincidence. One explanation might be that Die schöne Müllerin was mostly written in 1923 when Schubert was in hospital, suffering from a disease which would ultimately prove to be fatal. It is sensible to assume that under such circumstances he would more likely have a guitar rather than a piano at his disposal.

The work was published in 1824 in five books. It is based on a cycle of poems by Wilhelm Müller, which describes the story of the young, naive apprentice, who desperately falls in love with the beautiful daughter of the miller. He receives guidance from a small brook, which turns out to be his best friend as well as his fatal destiny.

Arpeggione Sonata
The arpeggione, also known as bowed guitar, violoncello guitar or guitar d’amore, was a stringed instrument with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, tuned like those of a classical guitar in two octaves ranging from E to e’.  The first arpeggione was made in 1832 by Johann Georg Stauffer in Vienna.
Although the Arpeggione Sonata has been co-opted by cellists for as long as they have known for it’s existence – an ad lib cello part appeared in the very first edition in 1871 – it is perfectly suited for the guitar as well.
At first sight, the inclusion of the Arpeggione sonata in a recording of Schubert’s songs might seem a little strange. But if one considers this CD as a recording of Schubert’s music performed on the guitar, it turns out to be quite a natural choice. Further more, we enjoyed playing it so much that we decided to add it as an extra.

track list

Die schöne Müllerin D795

1. Das Wandern
2. Wohin?
3. Halt!
4. Danksagung an den Bach
5. Am Feierabend
6. Der Neugierige
7. Ungeduld
8. Morgengruss
9. Des Müllers Blumen
10. Tränenregen
11. Mein!
12. Pause
13. Mit den grünen Lautenbanden
14. Der Jäger
15. Eifersucht und Stolz
16. Die liebe Farbe
17. Die böse Farbe
18. Trockne Blumen
19. Der Müller und der Bach
20. Des Baches Wiegenlied

Sonata in a for Arpeggione und piano D 821

1. Allegro Moderato
2. Adagio
3. Allegretto