At the end of 1822, the 25-year-old Viennese composer Franz Schubert discovered he was suffering from a disease for which there was no known cure. He had just six years left to live but in that time he wrote some of his greatest masterpieces. Donald Macleod introduces some of the remarkable works from those years beginning with a piano sonata containing some of Schubert's most sombre music to date and, by way of complete contrast, his genial and ever-popular Octet.

Lachen und Weinen D777
Arleen Auger (soprano)
Lambert Orkis (fortepiano)

Gondelfahrer D809
John Mark Ainsley, Jamie MacDougall (tenors)
Simon Keenleyside (baritone)
Michael George (bass)
Graham Johnson (piano)

'Weit über glanz und Erdenschimmer' (Fierrabras, Act II)
Florinda, Cheryl Studer (soprano)
Maragond, Brigitte Balleys (mezzo)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Conductor, Claudio Abbado

Piano Sonata in A minor D784
Stephen Hough

Trockne Blumen (Die schöne Müllerin, No.18)
Matthias Goerne (baritone)
Christophe Eschenbach (piano)

Octet (Final movement)
Vienna Octet. Show less