Franz Schubert - Rosamunde (1823) - Romance for Rosamunde - "Der Vollmond" (Anne Sofie von Otter)

Schubert provided an overture and nine numbers for a play called "Rosamunde, Queen of Cyprus" by Wilhelmine von Chezy. Though the play was a resounding flop, closing in just two nights, the music was well-received. Even so, Schubert did not take advantage of the evident high regard the audience had for it by extracting the music for concert purposes; that service was sadly not performed until 1868, when Grove and Sullivan made their famous discovery of a treasury of forgotten Schubert scores in Vienna. Schubert's numbers involve a very broad spectrum of situations, involving pastoral scenes, hunter choruses and two full ballets, all treated with sensitivity by the composer.

The present upload uses only two numbers: the already mentioned romance and one of the several entr'actes (in this case, the introduction to Act Two). The prelude, possibly symbolizing nightfall, is simply constructed, setting a lyrical string and wind movement with a stikingly chilling crescendo which occupies the center of the piece, though, the ending is similarly hushed, as we have heard in the beginning. The three-part romance itself the repeats and rounded ornamentation of which lend it a cyclical character is classically sentimental in both text and melody, though this passes virtually unnoticed, as Schubert's obvious care for the piece's beauty is evident throughout.

Anne Sofie von Otter provides a ravishing account of the only solo piece from Schubert's opus. Hope you'll enjoy :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• romantic
• Schubert
• classical
• romance

[ashtracold]

could "song to the moon" in Rusalka have been inspired by this?

[redshark618]

@sarasota75 I didn't know it was possible to "listen with your heart and not your ears."

Music is meant to provoke thought first, then emotion. Not the other way around.

[maumusa123]

Thanks for the music and a story behind it, which I did not know. I love every Schubert music, and especially Rosamunde. So special!

[javierdesanti]

Dear Lindero:

Who painted that beautiful woman?

[marylouvan]

Thanks for providing this luxurious interlude in a busy day. It's transporting.

[sarasota75]

I do appreciate this kind of celestial music, because I listen music with my heart not with my ears.

Love this piece of art.

[justicegranzon]

only few people these days appreciate this type of musics. i love this one.

[trinikimmie]

whats the name of the artwork Its lovely

[Kievest]

Thank you for the historical background

and this exquisite and touching piece!

[j95lee]

beautiful