Instrumental inspiration: an analysis of Schubert’s self-borrowing of his instrumental music in his Lieder

Schubert is well known for his adaptation of his own beloved vocal melodies as instrumental compositions. I argue that Schubert also used music originally composed for instruments in his vocal songs as well. Some of the music I analyze has been dated incorrectly. Although new dates for these compositions have been agreed upon for some time, few scholars have noted that the new dates change the relationship of borrowed material between the instrumental pieces and the songs.

Schubert’s reuse of his own instrumental music in his vocal music is not only interesting because of its rarity within his oeuvre, but also because of what the borrowing tells us about both pieces. I argue that the adjustments to the instrumental material for use in song, including the addition of text, not only provide context for understanding the second composition, but also tell us something about the original instrumental piece.