ABSTRACT
Most of Franz Schubert's sets progress from a state of stress to one of tranquillity. Those containing four songs are divided into pairs, each pair consisting of contrasting songs. Opus 3 is unusual in that it lacks a clear topic, but images in the first song – travelling over the sea, aimlessly picking flowers, going grimly through the countryside are followed up in the other songs. Musical factors were also important in the choice of these songs for this set. Schubert would have seen that he could make from them a structure resembling the composite instrumental design of a symphony, string quartet or sonata: dramatic movement in sonata form, slow movement, scherzo and finale. The only difference from this pattern is that to be suitable for the home the finale had to reflect the calm, intimate atmosphere of the circumstances. Of particular significance is the way one song enhances the character of the next.
