Ep 18. Now Hear This "The Schubert Generation"

Now Hear This "The Schubert Generation" is an episode of the long-running PBS series Great Performances, which explores the music and lives of the great composers throughout history. In this episode, viewers are transported to the Vienna of the early 19th century, where the young Franz Schubert and his contemporaries were creating some of the most beautiful and enduring music of their time.

Throughout the hour-long documentary, host Scott Yoo leads viewers on a journey through the world of Schubert and his fellow composers, tracing their development from young unknowns to towering figures of the musical world. Yoo, a renowned violinist and conductor, is the perfect guide for this exploration, bringing his deep knowledge of classical music and his infectious enthusiasm to the task.

Using a mix of historical sources and contemporary performances, Yoo and his team paint a vivid picture of Schubert and his contemporaries, including composers like Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart. We learn about their daily lives, their struggles and triumphs, and the artistic and social milieu in which they worked. Along the way, we're treated to extraordinary performances of some of Schubert's most beloved works, including his "Trout" quintet and the iconic "Unfinished" symphony.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the documentary is the way it places Schubert in the context of his peers. We learn that he was part of a group of young composers who were eager to push the boundaries of traditional music even as they paid homage to the masters who came before them. Each of these composers brought their own unique sensibility to the table, but they shared a passion for music that was both deeply felt and intellectually rigorous.

Throughout "The Schubert Generation," we're given glimpses into the creative process of these great composers, as well as their day-to-day lives. We learn that Schubert was a prolific composer who often worked feverishly for days on end, subsisting on little more than coffee and bread. Haydn, meanwhile, was a kindly and generous mentor who nurtured the talents of the younger composers around him. And Beethoven, the great Romantic individualist, was known for his fiery temper and his restless drive to create something new and original.

But for all their differences, these composers shared a deep reverence for the power of music to express human emotion and connect us to something larger than ourselves. That's a lesson that comes through loud and clear in the performances throughout "The Schubert Generation." From the haunting melodies of the "Unfinished" symphony to the playful exuberance of the "Trout" quintet, we're reminded of the profound beauty and emotional power of Schubert's music, and of the enduring legacy of the generation of composers who created it.

In summary, Now Hear This "The Schubert Generation" is an engaging and informative exploration of one of classical music's most beloved composers, and the world in which he lived and worked. Through a mix of historical context and contemporary performances, viewers are treated to a rich and rewarding portrait of Schubert and his fellow musicians, as well as an appreciation of the timeless beauty and emotional power of their music. Whether you're a die-hard classical music fan or just someone who loves music in general, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.