Musical Guides: Schubert: Gretchen am Spinnrade, D. 118

Stephanie Ebaugh
Music History
Listening Guide #3
Schubert: Gretchen am Spinnrade, D. 118

Biography:

Franz Schubert was a composer born in Austria on January 31, 1797. Ever since he was a child, he was very talented and able to play many different instruments. He was proficient in piano, violin, organ, and voice. His biggest influences when he was growing up were his father and his older brother, Ignaz. When he was a bit older, he went to school at Stadtkonvikt. It was at this institute for singers that Schubert trained his voice and learned vocal techniques and methods. He attended this school from 1808 to 1812 until he reached a time in his life when his voice changed at the age of 15. However, his college career did not end at this point. He later moved to a teacher’s training school in Vienna.

From 1813 to 1815 Schubert taught and composed. He wrote many piano pieces, string quartets, three symphonies, a three act opera, multiple songs, three masses, and four stage works. Because of Schubert, the genre of German Art Songs, or Lieds, was created. In 1814 Schubert wrote his first German Lieds, like “Gretchen am Sprinnrade” and "Erlkänig".

Schubert was also inspired by three very good friends. These friends were Josef von Spaun, a poet Mayrhofer, and a law student named Franz von Schober. This group of friends would gather to have enjoyable evenings listening to Shubert’s music. They were later known as the “Schubertiads”. These gatherings helped Shubert grow as a musician. These friends were a good audience for him and helped him gain confidence. In 1818, he left his teaching profession and began composing full time. This is the time where most of his pieces were composed.

Historical Background:

The text for “Gretchen am Spinnrade” was used from a play written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. “Faust” was a drama which took fifty-seven years of Goethe’s life to write. In this particular scene, Gretchen is confused about her feelings a man she just met, Faust. She is thinking to herself about all her confused thoughts, she is sitting at her spinning-wheel. She expresses how confused she is. She finds herself gazing out the window for a long time, but does not know what it means. All she wants is a kiss.

This piece is in 7 part rondo form, ABACADA. The accompanying part on the piano represents the wheel spinning. The right hand represents the constant mechanical flow and the left hand is the foot pedal that stomps.

Listener's Map: 7-Part Rondo Form (ABACADA)
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