Schubert in 1823: The Refiner's Fire

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Graham Johnson is the pre-eminent scholar-pianist of our time, particularly in relation to the music and life of Franz Schubert. He continues his seminal survey of the final years of Schubert’s life. He writes of today’s event:

"1823 was the year when Schubert and the Schubertians faced the harsh realities of living and dying; the undergraduate frivolities of the Atznenbrugg years of 1821 and 1822 seemed memories from another world. The brutal experiences of the composer's illness and hospitalisation, and the loneliness and shame of suffering from a venereal infection would have silenced all but the bravest souls. Although his output was smaller than in the heady days of yore, from now on, thanks to the merciless refining fire of 1823, there was very little that was less than great. No matter what his personal travails, his responsibilities to his gifts were paramount and never shirked. Schubert had been a great composer since 1814, but 1823 was the year when a great human being took his place, however quietly and modestly, among the musical immortals."

Please note there will be an extended lunchbreak during this event (12.45pm - 2pm).

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