Professors celebrate Schubert's birthday

For German composer Franz Schubert, a record deal wasn't the motivating factor behind his classical works. Neither was a world tour or an appearance on a magazine cover.

Schubert's sheer enjoyment of performing with others and being able to listen to and collaborate with friends is what several colleagues in the School of Music are trying to recreate when they perform Monday in celebration of the bicentennial of his birth in 1797.

" 'The Schubetiade,' which is what such evenings were called in his time, were gatherings of friends at someone's home to perform together solely for each others' enjoyment," said pianist Stephen Herbert Smith, professor of music.

Smith and some colleagues of his who share an interest in the lieder and chamber music of Schubert hope to capture the same focus on shared musical expressions at the free concert scheduled for 8 p.m. in the College of Arts and Architecture's School of Music Recital Hall. The concert is open to the public.

But this isn't part of a series of cultural programs, Smith said. It's more of a celebration.

"I have played off and on with several of (the performers)," Smith said.

This will be the first time this particular group will come together, not only to celebrate the bicentennial, but also for their personal enjoyment in listening to and playing his works, he added.

Joining the pianist for the evening will be soprano Suzanne Roy, associate professor of music, and clarinetist Smith Toulson, professor of music, in the featured performance of Schubert's "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen," which translates to "The Shepherd on the Rock."

Baritone Norman Spivey, associate professor of music, and soprano Susan Boardman, associate professor of music, will sing a few of Schubert's lieders, which Toulson says will be comprised mostly of works found on the Music at Marlborough compilation, including "Suleika," "die Forelle" and "Fischerweise."

After an intermission, Smith will be joined by cellist Kim Cook, associate professor of music; violinists James Lyon, associate professor of music, and Donald Hopkins, associate professor of music; and double bassist Neal Holter to perform variations of the theme "die Forelle."

The five artists comprise the Trout Quintet, and will close the scheduled evening performances.