Schubert Winterreise Structure and Texture

1. Gute Nacht
Texture consists of repeated quaver chords in open position. Homophonic. Before the
singer’s entry piano plays short introduction, imitating the beginning of the singer’s
melody. Piano also plays melodic fragments of the singers melody as well e.g. b24.

Structure
1st section in D minor, then in D major, short reprise in D minor. Binary?

2. Die Wetterfahne
Texture: Octave unison between both hands of the pianist and between the pianist and
singer (bb. 5-9). Homophonic textures, chords in LH melody in RH, chords in both hands
(open position), spread chords alternating between hands.

Structure
A minor – D major – A minor

3. Gefrorne Tranen
Texture: Octave unison between both hands, chordal texture close position,
F minor – Aflat major- F minor

4. Erstarrung
Texture: Melody in the bass, repeated triplet quaver arpeggio in RH.
C minor – G minor – A flat major – C minor

5. Der Lindenbaum
Semiquaver tremolos in RH, melody in LH, chordal texture both hands
E major- E minor – E major –

6. Wasserflut
Chordal texture, LH chords RH melody,
E minor – developmental section – E minor