D960

[garfield1986]

I have had a recent fascination with Schubert's D960 Piano Sonata, and am currently attempting to discover the magic of this sonata.  But i'm only 25, and no i havent experienced the death of a loved one, nor have i experienced anything schubert has. 

Which brings me to the reason for this post:

When i took it to my teacher last week, I'm a postgraduate at one of the music colleges in the united states east coast, my teacher told me to play it to him only when I can explain, verbally, to a non musician what this sonata is about. 

To me, its a culmination of schubert's life work.  There are many passages in the 1st movement which can be seen in some of his lieder, and also his C minor impromptu.  But this was not enough for my teacher. 

Would anyone here have a better insight to this epic masterpiece? 

[ahinton]

I have had a recent fascination with Schubert's D960 Piano Sonata, and am currently attempting to discover the magic of this sonata.  But i'm only 25, and no i havent experienced the death of a loved one, nor have i experienced anything schubert has. 

Which brings me to the reason for this post:

When i took it to my teacher last week, I'm a postgraduate at one of the music colleges in the united states east coast, my teacher told me to play it to him only when I can explain, verbally, to a non musician what this sonata is about. 

To me, its a culmination of schubert's life work.  There are many passages in the 1st movement which can be seen in some of his lieder, and also his C minor impromptu.  But this was not enough for my teacher. 

Would anyone here have a better insight to this epic masterpiece?

I have to admit that it is not a work that I've ever cared for or been able to get into, but I do believe that you should let it tell its own story to you as you learn it rather than fight shy of it because you've not experienced some of the things that Schubert experienced in his all too short life; after all, which of us has experienced many of the things that people experienced almost two centuries ago? - not least the fact that, for example, the last five sonatas of Beethoven were among that latest most challenging piano repertoire at the time when Schubert embarked upon this sonata whereas nowadays they may still be challenging but they're all extremely familiar to us. This thought brings me to mention the English composer Robert Simpson (1921-1997) who, when expressing reservations about the extent to which HIPP (historically informed performance practice) was threatening to become the norm in the performance of music from past centuries, said that we cannot listen to Bach today as Bach's contemporaries did because we've listened to Xenakis. To repeat - you must make your own discoveries and let the music help you to do that.

Best,

Alistair

[j_menz]

I agree with Alistair. Though, I would add that if you rush out and try your damndest to get a decent dose of syphilis it will be (a) much more readily cured than Franz's; and (b) go a long way to overcoming your perceived shortcoming.

[maxy]

I don't know what your teacher is looking for, but I find that D960 can be best described by one single word : timelessness.

A good interpretation will give the impression that time itself is suspended. A beauty that barely touches this world. 

[michael_sayers]

Much of Schubert's music asks for things that no piano really can do.  Here one needs to focus on the details in their musical function rather than on rendering of the details in a way that is overtly pianistic.  The music here must be made to find its beginning and end in the mind, and not in the fingers.

[michael_c]

When i took it to my teacher last week, I'm a postgraduate at one of the music colleges in the united states east coast, my teacher told me to play it to him only when I can explain, verbally, to a non musician what this sonata is about.

I couldn't explain verbally to anybody what this sonata is about. The only way I can explain what I think this piece is about is to sit down and play it.

For you, in order to find a way to convincingly play this piece, it won't help to try to put yourself through the same life experience that Schubert had. You must find out what it says to you, with whatever experience you have had. Sometimes young performers have a sort of innocence that makes their interpretations particularly transparent.

Keep playing the piece, listening to your playing in great detail. Surround yourself with other music by Schubert and his contemporaries. Read about what was happening in Europe at the time. Build your own conception of D960. In ten years time you may have a different conception.

When you go and see your teacher again, tell him this:

The thoughts which are expressed to me by music that I love are not too indefinite to be put into words, but on the contrary, too definite.

(it wasn't me who said that, it was Felix Mendelssohn)

[thalbergmad]

  But i'm only 25, and no i havent experienced the death of a loved one, nor have i experienced anything schubert has. 

Just an idea, but you could always shoot your girlfriend.

No jury would convict you if they thought you were trying to improve your Schubert.

Thal