Tempo in Mertz's Schubert arrangements

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

Here's a tricky question I'd like to get answered.

I've recently started playing with an early music soprano, if thats a term. Very nice soft voice with a light and subtle vibrato as in the good old days  :-) I want to play Schubert's Liebesbothschaft.

http://www.muslib.se/ebibliotek/boije/pdf/Boije%20864.pdf

As shown the tempo is "ziemlich langsam" in german wich means quite slow. But listening to some Youtube clips with pianoacc. it's played rather quickly, well I havnt heard all, aint got all night. So heres my question what tempo should I play

[Jelma van Amersfoort]

There are two beats in every bar and it should be slow when counting in two - but that feels rather fast for a guitarist, because of the 32nd notes... Me I would let the singer mostly decide what is a natural and speech-like tempo. Great that you found a suitable singer by the way!

[Scot Tremblay]

I played this last year with the soprano I work with. It's a wonderful piece, you are going to love it.  Don't tell anyone I said this but I like it better with a soprano than a tenor...

 

We did it about the same tempo as Hermann Prey "Liebesbotschschaft" on Youtube...maybe a tiny bit slower. Work with your singer for the tempo also. She will know what works well for her and what doesn't. There may be a need for a quick breath in the last third (around the word "Blick" I think, it's been a while) that kind of dictated the tempo for us; too slow she ran out of good air, too fast, not enough time for a full breath. But that was us, you guys may be totally different.

 

I like Hermann Preys' tempo. However you do it, it's a good workout for the guitarists right hand.

 

I look forward to the video and recording!

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

Its not that cant play it fast, I just find it strange. What about Schubert own original tempo, is that known. And your both totally right its up to the singer and I also find it suitable with a slight tempo rubato now and then. As soon as we have a good song I'll share it with You with a video recording. Im off to bed. Its late here in Denmark. God night everyone. see ya  ;-)

[Jelma van Amersfoort]

Hi Lars

I have not seen any metronome markings in Schubert scores yet, if that is what you mean :-)

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

That is what I meant, thanks for checking though