Lecture on Schubert's "Der Lindenbaum"

Introduction

• Discussion of Schubert's fifth song in his cycle "Die Winterreise" - "Der Lindenbaum" (The Linden Tree).
• The linden tree has a rich history in German art as a symbol for lovers and nature.
• Themes of duality in the lecture: past vs. present, major vs. minor modes, classical vs. folk idioms.

Musical Introduction

• Piano introduction mimics wind rustling through branches.
• The wanderer is transported from his winter journey to memories of the past.

Harmonic Structure

• Harmonically simplistic, yet contrasting introduction and first verse.
• Susan Youens: Piano introduction is a wordless process leading to memory articulation.
• Wanderer hears rustling, evoking memories of carving initials on the linden tree.

Stylistic Differences

• Piano: complex, learned style; rhythmically active, cycling quickly through predominants to half cadence.
• Vocal line: simplistic, short phrases, often doubled in piano for ease of student performance.
• Dichotomy between complex (lead) and simple (folk) styles continues throughout.

Present vs. Past

• Present interjects through minor key intro music, representing icy wind.

Temptation of Memory

• Memories of the tree as a temptation for rest (possibly death).
• Lori Surpa: Linden tree calls for peace (death), but wanderer rejects the call.
• Schubert's music highlights the struggle of rejecting death, switching harmonically between B major and C major.
• Motion from 5 to 6 suggests deceptive cadences, reflecting the tree's call.

Final Stanzas

• Fifth and sixth stanzas combine folk and lead idioms.
• Vocal line retains original shape, but accompaniment becomes more active.
• Song ends with a weakened cadence, representing the wanderer's ongoing internal conflict.
• Dominant resolves softly to tonic, signifying a continuation of the cycle.

Conclusion

• References to death appear throughout, weakening the wanderer's resistance.
• Invitation to support the channel through Patreon for further musical analyses.
• Upcoming analysis: "Wasserflut," the sixth song.

These notes capture the essential themes and musical analysis presented in the lecture, providing a comprehensive overview of Schubert's "Der Lindenbaum."