Schubert's Vienna

by Raymond Erickson (editor)

Eminent authorities examine Vienna's history and politics, class structure, and social conventions. They describe private and public entertainments, including music and dance, as well as classical and popular Viennese theater, both of which achieved special greatness in the early nineteenth century. They investigate the historical layers of architecture and sculpture that preserved Vienna's past or reflected the imperatives of Schubert's time. They analyze genres of painting that exemplified or went beyond the ideals of Biedermeier society. And they discuss literary currents reflected in (or absent from) the poetry that fired Schubert's musical imagination.

Genres: History, Music, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 1997

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense and thorough. Far more about Vienna than Schubert, but for those seeking to understand the city and its culture (politics, economy, literature, architecture, opera, pub culture, bourgeois traditions, theater, etc.) pre-, during his life, and immediately post-Schubert, well, this is the book for you.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays describing Vienna (and, to some extent, Europe) during Franz Schubert’s lifetime, Schubert’s Vienna is a more-interesting-than-not survey of the politics, culture, and history of a fascinating time and place in history. Some of the authors rely on a style I refer to as academic grandstanding (rambling, overly long analysis studded with big words just for the sake of it), and some of the essays felt needlessly long, but it is an interesting read. If nothing else, it was fun to be exposed to so many different experts in 350 pages. Recommended.

[Alan Murchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book.

[Barbara Phillips-Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the political and cultural activities in Vienna during Schibert's short life. I especially liked learning about social dancing.