The cover of "The Death Of Franz Schubert". (click for full size)
Nearly 2 years ago I first came across Schubert's String Quintet, D. 956 and immediately fell in love with it. Being a pianist I quickly decided to adapt it for solo piano as I desperately wanted to play it. I worked on it off and on until I had finished and in early 2022 I engaged Melbourne concert pianist Nicholas Young to perform and record my adaptation of the work.
Schubert's String Quintet was written not long before his death at the age of 31 and is justly regarded as one of the cornerstones of classical chamber music. It is loved by classical fans the world over, has been recorded numerous times and is regularly performed. I believe that my piano adaptation can stand alongside the original string version without suffering in comparison. I have taken numerous liberties with Schubert's arrangement in order to allow this piano version to shine and I believe that it brings the essence of Schubert's last masterpiece into sharper focus at various points along the way and will consequently attract new fans to the work that found the string version a little inaccessible.
Since Schubert wrote the work knowing he was about to die, many people believe that this work expresses his feelings about his impending death. Whether this is true or not I have chosen to recast the work as a series of stages in the death of Franz Schubert:
1 - Coming to terms with his impending death.
2 - Actually dying.
3 - His funeral.
4 - Joining the pantheon of great composers.
5 - Contemplating his great legacy.
The work originally contained just 4 movements but the 3rd movement comprised a sad trio sandwiched between two copies of a rumbustious scherzo. I decided to separate the two and the trio then becomes the 3rd movement and the scherzo the 4th.
I believe that imbuing this work with such a program gives the work greater power, helps the performer interpret it and makes it more accessible for the listener. If certain people don't like this programatic view of the work that is fine. They can simply ignore that overlay and just enjoy my piano adaptation for the music alone.
- Warren Mars 2022
The album is available on all the major digital music outlets either to buy or just stream. Go ahead and click the logo of your preferred supplier and you will be taken to the album.
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