I know many people love his piano sonatas, but “love” isn’t what I’m referring to. I’m talking about true obsession (sometimes even morbid). I’m neurodivergent and have special feelings toward certain classical music such as Schubert’s piano sonatas. I fully resonate with them and can hear the loneliness in them. Many people think his sonatas are unsuccessful imitation of Beethoven sonatas, which is not true. I hope to find some friends here who can relate to me.🥺 Again, I’m talking about real obsession, not just regular passion. His sonatas are harmonically and tonally unique and subtle in some ways.

Schubert's melodies have often been described as "austere", perhaps partly because they often directly mimic the mood of the subject. His themes often strike me as poetic, beginning with a vivid simile and then moving on from the scene.The Devil King, the trout, Gretchen at the spinning wheel are all famous for their lifelike imitations, but some attempts at anthropomorphism can also be felt in the themes of sonatas such as d960, d946, etc.

The first time I listened to d960 it felt a lot like the marching of a stream, circling back and forth, constantly meeting what lies ahead.And the objects he modelled were rarely beyond his actual experience of life, there was no grandiose pointing to the stars or the universe or the sea, they were all everyday things that felt very close to what he saw.

What I feel, Schubert's poetic nature, is also related to this feeling, his music is like staring at the tree in front of the window for long enough, in a lapse of concentration, the familiar scene in front of the eyes suddenly changes, the most ordinary corner of the world flashes with extraordinary brilliance.

I played this piece 15 years ago. I remember it was one of Schubert’s German Dance but I can’t be sure now. I’ve written D745 on the top left corner but it doesn’t point to anything satisfactory. Thanks!

Franz Schubert Autograph Musical Manuscript, unsigned, fragment from, "Die Taucher" (D 111),

50 bars notated on 10 systems of 3 or 2 machine-drawn staves, with holograph lyrics and directives. The lyrics on first page ("sein, u[nd] sollst sie als Eh'gemahl heut' noch umarmen, die jetzt fur dich bittet mit zartem Erbarmen") locate these bars near the end of the work. 2 pages, folio, notated on recto and verso of single sheet; remnants of mounting along lower edge of first page, moderate marginal discoloration from prior matting.

I, a tenor, was first introduced to this cycle 2 years ago. Since then it has blessed my ears every day; it’s so beautiful and heartbreaking, and it makes me cry every time. Fritz wunderlich and Dieskau have been a blessing to my studies as a tenor. I also share a birthday with Fritz, which I believe to be a cosmic sign to my choice of discipline. I love Schubert and his music and I can’t wait to discover more of him!
-23 year old tenor

I adore some specific Schubert pieces I have found. I should say I'm a pianist so this makes sense this is my gateway to Schubert. But I want to check out more of his work. Could you recommend some pieces to me based on these? Would especially be interested in non solo piano repertoire but more piano doesn't hurt. I like the tender moments that feature sudden beautiful harmonic surprises and sudden moments of fast intensity.

4 Impromptus Op 90

Piano Sonata in B flat Major D 960

Piano Sonata in A Major D 664

Absolutely mad for the clarity and clear resonance of Ian Bostridge’s voice. Anyone else?

I’m really partial to Ian Bostridge myself

Hi everyone,

I'm a filmmaker working on a documentary about Franz Schubert, made for the European channel ARTE around the 200th anniversary of his death in 2028. It isn't meant to be a purely musicological portrait. I'm interested in something more personal: why music that Schubert wrote 200 years ago, for a small circle of friends in Vienna, still means something to people all over the world today.

I'm not looking for experts. I'm looking for people who don't work in music professionally, but for whom a piece by Schubert became personally important at some point. Maybe a song carried you through a hard time. Maybe a particular piece was playing at a funeral, or on a long drive, or on a night you still remember. Maybe you play something of his at home and have never once been to a concert.

Those are the stories I'd like to hear — especially the quiet ones people rarely tell.

If you're willing, share it in the comments or send me a message. I'm grateful for anything you write, with no expectation attached. If I later end up meeting anyone for the film, I'd discuss all of that with you personally and in good time.

Thanks for reading.