F.Schubert : Serenade

The Serenade (German: Ständchen) is the fourth track in book 1 of Franz Schubert's Schwanengesang (Swan Song). This collection of songs was found after the author had died. According to the composer's list of works, this piece bears the serial number D 957. Franz Liszt later transferred the entire work in schwanengesang for piano solo. Ludwig Rellstab was the arranger.

Circumstances of composition :

Franz Schubert's immortal "Song" was meant to give a birthday to a young woman he secretly loved. In Europe as early as the Middle Ages boys often confessed their love by borrowing music, and at night stood under the door "beautiful" expressing themselves with their own voices and voices. These romantic songs are called "serenades". The Serenade of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was performed in no particular form, except that it was accompanied by a self-accompaniment of portable instruments such as guitar, mandolin)...
To surprise her, Schubert asked a close friend, a singer, to perform under her window. That night, people secretly carried the piano into the garden, all ready for a romantic and unique performance. Schubert, however, forgot to come. Ironically, the girl fell in love with the singer himself, not Schubert.

Performers : Joshua Bell.