The Winter Journey -Die Winterreise

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Die Winterreise was composed in 1827; 14 of the songs in the Spring, the rest in the Autumn. The poems, written by Wilhelm Muller, concern a young man, disappointed in love, wandering through the bleak winter landscape.

"Schubert had been ill for a long time and had known some unhappy experiences. The rosy gleam had disappeared from his life and winter had come to him in earnest. The poet's despairing tone attracted him" (Johann Mayrhofer's 'Recolletions').

Schubert's friend, Joseph Von Spaun, related:

"To my query, what was the matter with him, he only answered, "You will soon understand". One day he said to me "Come to Schober's this evening. I shall sing a garland of lugubrious songs for you. I very much want to know what you all think of them. They have had a greater effect on me than any other songs". He sang the whole of Die Winterreise in a voice filled with emotion. We were astonished by the sombre mood of the songs and, at the end Schober said that there was only one song he liked - Der Lindenbaum. Schubert said "I like these songs better than all my others and you will also come to like them". He was right, for we were soon enthusiastic about these sad songs, so beautifully sung by Vogl".

Schubert was paid one gilden for the song. The correction of the proofs was the last work he did before his death.

Sung by Jeffrey Benton (Baritone)
With Rona Lowe (Piano)