For 50 years, the Schubertiade has been a haven for lovers of Franz Schubert’s music, transforming the quaint Austrian towns of Schwarzenberg and Hohenems into cultural hubs for chamber music and lieder. Founded in 1976, the Schubertiade has evolved from cosy Viennese salons to a global celebration of Schubert’s music, welcoming about 40,000 visitors across roughly 80 events annually.
Over the years, the festival venues have witnessed legendary performances, balancing tradition with artistic excellence. As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Schubertiade in 2025, let us explore some milestone performances that turned a niche festival into the world’s leading celebration of Schubert’s music. While it is impossible to showcase every musical legend, here are a few standout examples that capture the essence of this exceptional festival.
Hermann Prey
Hermann Prey © Decca Records
Driven by his passion for Schubert’s music and the intimate 19th-century Viennese gatherings known as “Schubertiade,” the renowned baritone Hermann Prey founded the festival in Hohenems in 1976. His vision aimed to recreate the intimate and soulful atmosphere of the original events. Prey sought authenticity over spectacle, blending world-class artists with young talents to keep Schubert’s spirit alive, while occasionally including works by Mozart, Beethoven, and others to enrich the repertoire.
Prey’s goal was a timeless celebration of music, a legacy that endures in the festival’s cosy settings and curated excellence. As a celebrated lieder singer, Prey performed at the inaugural event together with pianist Leonard Hokanson. His warm and lyrical baritone, marked by clear diction and expressive versatility, brought Schubert’s lieder to life with intimate sincerity. His vocal qualities shaped the authentic and heartfelt ethos that became an enduring hallmark of the Schubertiade festival.
Hermann Prey/Leonard Hokanson perform Schubert: “Ständchen”
Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel
The pianist Alfred Brendel, famed for his interpretations of Schubert, Mozart, and Beethoven, played a significant role in the early decades of the Schubertiade festival. He first appeared at the festival in 1979, and he performed multiple time throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His Schubert interpretations, praised for their clarity, depth, and intellectual rigour, earned him a reputation as a festival highlight, with critics calling his recitals “revelatory.”
Beyond performing, Brendel contributed to the festival’s intellectual side, giving lectures and music talks, including a notable 2022 appearance in Schwarzenberg discussing Schubert with musicologist and scholar Peter Gülke. He also led a number of masterclasses, showcasing the festival’s commitment to musical scholarship and nurturing talent. By embodying the festival’s ethos of intimacy and excellence, Brendel helped transform the Schubertiade into a cultural beacon, synonymous with authentic, world-class chamber music.
Alfred Brendel Performs Schubert: Impromptus, D. 899
Belcea Quartet
Schubertiade Schwarzenberg 2004
Over the years, the Schubertiade has hosted some of the most illustrious chamber-music ensembles from around the world. Representatively, let us feature the Belcea Quartet, an electrifying ensemble blending raw intensity with unmatched precision. Under the leadership of violinist Corina Belcea, the Quartet has had a significant presence at the Schubertiade festival since their debut in 2003.
The Belcea Quartet’s performances stand out for their vibrant and nuanced interpretations of Schubert’s string quartets, complemented by works from Mozart, Beethoven, and others. Their dynamic yet refined style, ideally suited to the Schubertiade’s intimate venues, conveys Schubert’s emotional depth with such mastery that it elevates the festival’s reputation for unparalleled excellence.
Belcea Quartet Performs Schubert: String Quartet in G major, D. 887
Christian Gerhaher
Christian Gerhaher and Gerold Huber © Nikolaj Lund
Connecting the past with the present, the acclaimed baritone Christian Gerhaher has been a regular performer at the Schubertiade since his debut in 1999. And together with his long-time musical partner Gerold Huber, they are scheduled at the anniversary edition of the Schubertiade in 2025 as well.
Gerhaher and Huber have shared a symbiotic musical partnership based on organic coexistence and equality for over 30 years. As such, they have participated in a lasting and intense musical dialogue that has propelled them to the loftiest heights of Lied interpretation.
As a critic for Seen and Heard International writes, “Gerhaher’s honeyed voice combines flawless diction and a compelling gift for narrative, while Huber invariably proves a sentient and wonderfully intuitive partner.”
The 50th Schubertiade 2025 features a diverse lineup of performers across 69 events, including 30 lieder evenings, 25 chamber concerts, 13 piano recitals, and one piano matinee. Clarinettist Sabine Meyer marks her 40th Schubertiade anniversary and career finale, and both established stars and emerging talents share in the spirit of timeless artistry and vibrant discovery.
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