description Winterreise, D. 911 Overview
Composed by Franz Schubert in 1827, "Winterreise" (D. 911) is a cycle of 24 songs setting poetry by Wilhelm Müller. The work follows a young man who, after being rejected by his bride-to-be, embarks on a solitary, winter journey through a bleak landscape. It demands considerable stamina and dramatic interpretation from both the vocalist and the pianist.
Considered one of the pinnacle achievements of the Romantic art song repertoire, it continues to be performed and recorded extensively by professional singers.
help Winterreise, D. 911 FAQ
How many songs are in Schubert's Winterreise?
Winterreise (Winter Journey) is a cycle of 24 Lieder setting poems by the German poet Wilhelm Müller. The final song, 'Der Leiermann' ('The Hurdy-Gurdy Man'), is one of the most haunting endings in the song literature.
Who wrote the poems Schubert set in Winterreise?
The texts come from Wilhelm Müller, a German Romantic poet who also wrote the poems Schubert set in the earlier cycle Die schöne Müllerin. Müller died in 1827, the same year Schubert composed Winterreise, and never knew of Schubert's settings.
When did Schubert compose Winterreise?
Schubert composed Winterreise in two parts during 1827, the year before his death at age 31. He was already seriously ill, likely from syphilis, when he completed what he called a set of 'terrifying' songs.
What is the last song in Schubert's Winterreise?
The final song is 'Der Leiermann' ('The Hurdy-Gurdy Man'), in which the narrator watches a barefoot beggar playing a hurdy-gurdy on the ice. The song's sparse, repetitive accompaniment and unresolved ending have made it one of the most studied moments in the Lied repertoire.
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