SCHWIND, Moritz von

The forest seclusion and the appealing life of the hermit, the quiet of the trees and the retreat into a simple life close to nature were the expression of a new attitude to life. What Schwind painted here is the longing of the Biedermeier period for happiness in simple surroundings and for a calm that had long vanished in pre-industrial urban society. In his contemplative life committed to God, the pious hermit seemed to be manifesting a kind of religious feeling that was ideal because it was “private”. The musicians feels at home here too, before setting off once more for the bustle of the towns.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 10 minutes):

Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for recorder in A minor

Schwind was a key figure in Vienna. He was a Romantic artist and music was of great importance to him as thematic reference. In 1852 he “composed” A Symphony in oils, and provided the commentary on it himself: “The whole should be imagined as the Beethoven wall of a music room… and it is based on a composition by Beethoven, the Fantasia in C for Piano, Orchestra and Choir…” Schwind said that the individual zones of his painting, into which he wove a love story, correspond to the four movements of Beethoven’s composition. At the bottom we see a chamber music rehearsal (Introduction), in which one of the young listeners falls in love with the singer; later they meet in a wood (Andante); above this again we see the young man declaring his feelings at a ball (Adagio); and finally, in the little castle, the happy husband and his bride are setting off for their honeymoon in the stronghold of bliss (Rondo).

Schwind’s painting and his explanation of it indicate a basic phenomenon of the time - the combination of story and music to make program music. In Schwind’s work we find the beginnings of the total work of art Wagner was to proclaim.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 18 minutes):

Ludwig van Beethoven: Choral Fantasie in C Minor. Op. 80

The cosy home, clean and tidy Biedermeier bedroom with its scent of fresh linen and open to the cool morning air, is the subject of this painting. The view from the window is as inviting as the room itself.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 5 minutes):

Edvard Grieg: Peter Gynt Suite No 1, Op, 46 (‘Morning Mood’)

The artist painted himself in this illustration of Schubert’s song “Fremd bin ich eingezogen, fremd ziech ich wieder aus…” (A stranger I came, a stranger I leave…), the first song in the song cycle Winterreise (Winter Journey).

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 6 minutes):

Franz Schubert: Winterreise op.80 D911 No.1: Gute Nacht! (Good Night!)

The landscapes of Schwind are poetic and fairytale-like creations. Below a mountain bridge with a view of a distant, hilly landscape a man can be seen sunk in contemplation; the back of the wanderer with a harp slung over his shoulder also has a nostalgic effect.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):

Franz Schubert: Der Wanderer, Franz Liszt’s transcription