Page 188 - Winterreise Coverage Book, 2021 - 22
P. 188
5 March 2022
The classic of crises
By Thomas Kielinger
Benjamin Appl sang Schubert's "Winterreise" in snowstorms at an altitude of 2284 metres. In
the process, he became aware of the full force and foresight of a German masterpiece: in
the end, man is as powerless against diseases and wars as he is against the climate.
It was the autumn of 1827, and Baron von Spaun, one of Franz
Schubert's closest friends, later reports how the composer informed him
one day at short notice: "'Come to Schober today (another close companion
of Schubert, d. A.); I will sing you a cycle of gruesome songs. I am eager to
