Motivic Unity in Schubert’s Winterreise

Abstract

This thesis comprises a detailed motivic analysis of Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise. It consists of eight chapters. The introduction explains the rationale underlying the thesis; although numerous songs from Winterreise have been previously analysed in detail and found to have considerable motivic coherence, no clear tonal or motivic plan to the cycle as a whole has yet been identified. In contrast, numerous authorities have identified a high level of motivic coherence and unity in many of Schubert’s other major songs and instrumental works. The thesis investigates whether such a structure exists for the whole of Winterreise rather than only in individual songs. The introduction also briefly explains the methodology to be used. Chapter 2 provides background on what actually defines a set of songs as being a cycle and also discusses existing scholarly research undertaken on Schubert’s other major cycle Die Schöne Müllerin, composed four years prior to Winterreise. In addition, the motivic unity of some other significant works by Schubert, both vocal and instrumental, is investigated.