Schubert composed solo piano works, as well as symphonies, chamber music, instrumental works, and more. He also left us more than 600 songs. One of these songs is titled “Der Hirt am Felsen” (the Shepard on the Rock).
Schubert was frequently sad, because of poor health, disappointments in love, and other struggles. He died at age 31… It is from this background that this music emerges. The work is scored for piano, clarinet, and soprano.
The words likely came from a poem written by one of Schubert’s friends; and it was probably first performed at a so-called “Schubertiade” where friends came together to make music.
The Shepard sits on a rock in front of a vast valley below him, and he is aware that the object of his love is far away, and he wants to be close to her…
The pianist is Andre Watts. The singer is Barbara Bonney, who studied in Salzburg, Austria, and now lives there in retirement. The clarinet player is David Shifrin.
Enjoy the music:
