A Southern California Schubertiade

Laurie Cohn Rosenthal
Mirror contributing writer

   How else would one celebrate Franz Schubert’s 205th birthday other than attending a Schubertiade? I don’t know much about Schubert, and I’ve never before attended a Schubertiade, but it’s a new year and why not start it off with a classical music concert celebrating one of the greatest composers of all time.
   I looked forward to the Schubertiade for weeks, ever since host, commentator, scholar, musician, and my neighbor Dr. Robert Winter told Michael and me about it. The event was held at the home of Robert and his wife, Julia, and the biggest downpour of the year didn’t stop the Schubertheads from coming. The name used by Schubert’s friends was Schubertians, but I don’t know if that’s still used today. Being a longtime Deadhead, Schuberthead is meant as a complement to Schubert fans. Michael and I bundled up little Dylan and the three of us walked over to the Winter home, braving the wind and the rain for the sake of culture.
   Dr. Winter, an interesting and humorous speaker, noted that the dreary weather made the day reminiscent of Vienna, where Schubert lived his short life. Schubertiades, he explained, are evening musical and entertainment gatherings traditionally held in residences, among friends. He also said these events went on into the wee hours of the morning and he hoped everyone would be out of his house by then. The Winter concert room certainly felt warm and cozy, and much more comfortable and inviting than a huge auditorium.
   After performing two piano pieces, Dr. Winter was joined by Sonia Luna on violin and played “Sonatina in D Major for Violin & Piano, D. 384.” This was when Dylan decided to wake up. And not quietly with a big smile on his face, as he often does. No, Dylan looked up at me from inside his Baby Bjorn and let out a scream. A hungry scream. There was no way the 100 or so people there didn’t hear my son over the very lovely music. I felt worse for the musicians, yet knowing Dr. Winter I figured he probably enjoyed hearing the squeals. I took Dylan out of the room, fed him, and no one heard another peep out of him. Dylan truly enjoyed himself at his first classical concert, and though I don’t know if he actually saw the musicians and singer, I know he heard everything.
   Soprano Dale Franzen, Director of Special Projects Development at SMC, sang several pieces, including “A Fisherman’s Ways, D. 881” and “Night and Dreams, D. 827.” What little I know about opera and classical music I’ve learned mostly from attending the Los Angeles Opera with my mom for ten years and from watching her sing in the Santa Monica-based Verdi chorus for about twelve years. I didn’t recognize any pieces Ms. Franzen sang, but her delivery was simply exquisite. She introduced three women in the crowd who have inspired her through the years – her aunt, her first voice teacher, Marni Nixon, and Piedad Robertson, president of SMC.
   “The Shepherd on the Rock, D. 965,” performed with Dr. Winter on piano, David Beaudry on clarinet, and sung by Ms. Franzen was absolutely beautiful. I don’t know much about clarinets, other than my brother played one as a kid (and recently told me he knew he was never going to be a rock & roll star because of it), and have never heard one played in such an intimate setting. The sounds that came out of Mr. Beaudry’s mouth were magical.
   Cellist Steve Olsen also was a part of the Schubertiade, and contributed his talents to “Sonata in A Minor for Cello & Piano, D. 821.” He, violinist Luna, and Dr. Winter played together after intermission, but I must confess, we left at that time. I would have loved to have stayed and listened to more music, but our four-month-old son was ready to go home. No sense pushing our luck.
   Curious about Schubert, I did a little research after the performance and now share with you a few facts about this brilliant composer who died at the young age of 31.
   In addition to over 600 songs, he also composed operas, choral music, symphonies, chamber music, and so on.
   The portly Schubert’s nickname was Schwammerl, which means mushroom.
   He was one of 14 children.
   Antonio Salieri was one of his teachers.
He wrote his first symphony while still a teenager.
   “Ave Maria” was written several years before his death.
   He was born January 31, 1797, five years after the death of Mozart, and died November 19, 1828, one year after the death of his idol, Beethoven.