Winterreise
Exploring the 24 Songs of Schubert's Winter Journey
Franz Schubert · Wilhelm Müller · 1827
Begin the JourneyExplore the Cycle
Explore All Songs
Journey through all 24 songs with German lyrics, English translations, and detailed musical analysis.
View Connections
Discover the intricate web of thematic, musical, and narrative connections between songs.
Understand the Journey
Analyze the emotional arc, key relationships, and thematic development across the cycle.
Featured Insights
Dive deeper into the musical and poetic genius of Schubert's masterpiece
The Structure of Despair
Of the 24 songs, 16 are set in minor keys, reflecting the wanderer's journey into ever-deeper isolation. The cycle moves from the hopeful D minor of "Gute Nacht" to the desolate A minor of "Der Leiermann," with moments of illusory hope in between.
Read moreNature as Mirror
Throughout the cycle, natural imagery—frozen tears, the linden tree, the crow, the stream—serves as a reflection of the wanderer's inner state. Schubert's music transforms these poetic images into vivid sonic landscapes.
Explore Der Lindenbaum