F. Schubert "The Trout": history, content, interesting facts

F. Schubert "Trout"

Franz Schubert is an outstanding Austrian composer who made an invaluable contribution to the treasury of world music culture. The founder of romanticism wrote his works in various genres, but the basis of his work were vocal miniatures, which he wrote more than six hundred. Not all of them are equal, but most of them are bright masterpieces that emotionally affecting the audience delight them. One of these magnificent works of the composer is the song "Trout" - a work that is recognized as the pearl of Franz Schubert's vocal works.

History of creation

In 1817, after graduating from the teachers' seminary, Franz Schubert taught at the Lichtental Parish School, in which his father taught. This occupation is very young man, because he wanted to devote himself to composer creativity, and only in his spare time Franz was engaged in his favorite work, creating one work after another. Thus, the song "Trout" appeared among many of his other compositions. Having written it, the young man showed a new creation to his friends, who, after listening to the composition, hinted to Schubert that her intonations somewhat resemble the motifs of Beethoven’s Overture "Koreolan". Upset, Franz decided to burn his new work, but thanks to the persuasion of a friend of Johann Ebner "Trout" did not suffer the tragic fate.

However, Schubert could not calm down and, constantly trying to improve this composition, he returned to it several times. In recent versions, the changes were so minor that they concerned only the introduction and pace. The fate of the last three is known. For example, the fourth version, made by Schubert at night on February 21, 1818, was presented to Franz’s friend, composer Ansel Hüttenbrenner, who, after a friendly meeting with a bottle of Hungarian wine, admitted that his brother Joseph really liked Schubert’s works. This handwritten copy was then kept for several decades in the family of Hüttenbrenners and in 1870 was even photographed, but after a while it was lost. The next version of "Trout" composer wrote specifically for free publication in the Austrian newspaper "Wiener Zeitung". It was an advertising move, since, despite the fact that Schubert was already the author of many works, his name was known only to a narrow circle of friends and acquaintances. And finally, the final version of the song "Trout" was written in 1821 for publication in "Neue Ausgabe". This copy is currently stored in the Library of Congress.

Interesting Facts

• The song "Trout" Franz Schubert wrote on the verses of Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart - a German journalist, poet, organist, composer and journalist. In 1777, by the order of the Duke Frederick of Württemberg, Schubart was deceived by ill-wishers, was imprisoned in the Hohenasperg fortress. In imprisonment, Christian wrote poems, which then formed the basis for a beautiful song by Schubert.
• Schubert, composed the song "Trout", on the same day brought it to the court listeners - his friends. The composition, called the most graceful and gentle, was performed several times.
• Since the first manuscript of the song "Trout" was lost, no one can name the exact date of its creation right now. It is only known that this composition, according to the author himself, was written at the same time with such works as “Death and a Girl” and “To Music,” the composer’s biographers determined that it was 1817.
• The great Hungarian composer Ferenc Liszt liked Schubert's song "Trout" so much that he made two versions of the transcription of this composition for solo piano.
• Austrian composer Franz Schöggl wrote 10 comic variations for the choir in the style of various composers entitled Humorous Trout: Trout from Franz Schubert, Mozart: Little Night Trout, Beethoven: in Honor of Trout, Weber: free fish "," Wagner: fishermen chorus "," Mountain trout in the late evening "," Trout in Viennese style "," Italian trout "," Volga trout "," Sly fishing. "
• English composer Benjamin Britten is considered the best interpreter of Schubert's works. In June 1942, he arranged the song "Trout" for voice, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
• Well-known British director Guy Ritchie used Schubert’s song "The Trout" for the musical background of his film "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows".

Content

Already from the very first audition, when the song "Trout" was presented to the listeners, it was noted that her gentle and graceful melody is very easy to understand. In addition, the couplet form chosen by Schubert for this composition brings it closer to folk songs. Initially, Schubert, having decided to write his own song for a high voice, chose for her the key of D-flat major. The size of the composition - 2/4. From the first interval, which the vocal miniature begins, the composer makes you admire the idyllic picture: a beautiful day, the gentle sun is shining, and trout are frolicking in the clear water of the stream. All this natural harmony is artfully reflected in the music of Schubert. A lively melody of cheerful character is supported by an exquisite accompaniment: a rhythmic figure, including sextoli, depicts bursts of water and a funny game of trout. Sadness in the song and, accordingly, a minor shade appears in the 3rd verse, when the author sympathizes with the trout, which the sly fisherman caught. At this time, the nature of the accompaniment also changes: it becomes more intense. Then the mood of the music returns again, and the song ends in the same character in which it began.

Text "Trout"

The song "Trout" is a wonderful vocal composition by Franz Schubert, the bright naivety of which, even at the present time, causes listeners affection and delight. From its inception to the present day, it is one of the most popular works, which many famous vocalists gladly include in their repertoire.