Stabat Mater in F minor (Schubert) explained

German: Stabat Mater|italic=no in F minor, 383, is a musical setting of the Stabat Mater sequence, composed by Franz Schubert in 1816.^[1] It is scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, SATB choir, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 2 french horns, 3 trombones, violin I and II, viola, cello and double bass.

Rather than setting the Latin sequence of the German: Stabat Mater|italic=no, Schubert used a German paraphrase by F. G. Klopstock, German: Jesus Christus schwebt am Kreuze.^[2] The work is sometimes referred to as the Deutsches Stabat Mater, and was written for the composer's brother Ferdinand.^[3]

Schubert had written a shorter setting of the Latin Latin: Stabat Mater|italic=no in 1815, Stabat Mater in G minor, 175, a single-movement piece of approximately six minutes' duration, using only four verses of the twenty stanzas of the sequence.^[2]

Structure

This setting is essentially a short oratorio with arias, duets, trios and chorus work.^[2] The work is divided into twelve movements. Performances require 30–40 minutes.

1. "German: Jesus Christus schwebt am Kreuze" Largo, F minor, common time; choir
2. "German: Bei des Mittlers Kreuze standen" B-flat minor, 3/8; soprano
3. "German: Liebend neiget er sein Antlitz" Andante, E-flat major, cut common time; choir

The recurring theme in the original version is based on the Kaiser Hymn. Schubert revised this later, believing it to be inappropriate.^[4]

It is unknown if the allusion to the hymn was a patriotic gesture, or an homage to Haydn.

1. "German: Engel freuten sich der Wonne" Allegretto, B-flat major, 2/4; soprano and tenor duet
2. "German: Wer wird Zähren" Larghetto, G minor ending in G major, 3/4; chorus (divisi)
3. "German: Ach, was hätten wir empfunden" Adagio, C minor, common time; tenor
4. "German: Erben sollen sie am Throne" C major, common time; chorus

Schubert authorised cuts in this movement from bars 19–46, and bars 65–71.^[4]

1. "German: Sohn des Vaters, aber leiden" Andantino, G major, 3/8; bass
2. "German: O du herrlicher Vollender" Maestoso, E major, cut common time; chorus
3. "German: Erdenfreuden und ihr Elend" Allegretto moderato, A major, common time; trio

— "German: Möcht ich wie auf Adlers Flügeln"... Più mosso, A minor, common time

1. "German: Daß dereinst wir, wenn im Tode" Andante sostenuto, F major, 3/4; trio and choir
2. "Amen" Allegro maestoso, F major, cut common time; chorus

Schubert authorised a cut in this movement from bars 101-115.^[4]

Further reading

• Web site: Music of Spirit and Hope. 15 March 2013. Programme notes for a concert by Cambridge choir "The Spectrum Singers", containing the text and English translation of Klopstock's Jesus Christus schwebt am Kreuze.

Notes and References

1. Book: Black, Leo. Franz Schubert: Music and Belief. 2003. 27. Boydell Press . 9781843831358.
2. Book: Newbould, Brian. Brian Newbould

   . Schubert: The Music and the Man. Brian Newbould. 1999. 139. University of California Press . 9780520219571.

3. Book: Howie, Crawford. The Unknown Schubert. Barbara M.. Reul. Lorraine Byrne. Bodley. Small is beautiful: Schubert's smaller sacred works. 60. 2008. Ashgate Publishing . 9780754661924.
4. Web site: Editor's notes, Stabat Mater (D383). Michael. Gibson.