Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Disenchantment during the Biedermeier period: political subtexts in Schubert's songs

Caton, Anke Theresa 2011. Disenchantment during the Biedermeier period: political subtexts in Schubert's songs. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

[thumbnail of U584569 (1).pdf]
Preview
PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (9MB) | Preview

Abstract

Even today Franz Schubert is belittled by many music enthusiasts as a typical Biedermeier composer, whose works appear to be of a purely lyrical and innocent character. Schubert composed over 600 songs and his image as a song composer generally fosters the lighthearted and almost naive view of his oeuvre. This thesis will enrich the common view of Schubert and his songs. It will show that some of his apparently innocent songs may bring forward direct political criticism or hold political implications their seemingly lyrical and innocent appearance turning out to be a clever facade. The motivation for the political voice in Schubert's songs is found in the composer's historical, political and social environment, which will be summarized at the beginning of this thesis. Thereafter, special attention will be drawn to songs by Schubert's close friend, Johann Mayrhofer. Schubert's Mayrhofer settings give evidence of a questioning liberal voice. They bring forward different ways in which political criticism can be voiced and show how the composer was willingly engaged with such matter. A look at Schubert settings by poets other than Mayrhofer suggests that political traces can also be found elsewhere in the composer's song oeuvre.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Music
Subjects: M Music and Books on Music > M Music
ISBN: 9781303196577
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 04 Jan 2024 17:00
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/54468

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics