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A Little Schubert
A simple introduction to the Austrian composer's creative genius and musical contributions, and includes five Schubert waltzes
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
About the author
M.B. Goffstein
44 books13 followersMarilyn Brooke Goffstein
Also published as Brooke Goffstein
American Author and Illustrator
Grew up in St Paul Minnesota
Graduated from Bennington College in Vermont in 1962
Lived in New York
Taught Children's Book Illustration at Parsons School of Design
Works in pen, watercolor and pastels
Also published as Brooke Goffstein
American Author and Illustrator
Grew up in St Paul Minnesota
Graduated from Bennington College in Vermont in 1962
Lived in New York
Taught Children's Book Illustration at Parsons School of Design
Works in pen, watercolor and pastels
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 20, 2021
A Little Schubert
M.B. Goffstein's lovely children's book "A Little Schubert" brings back memories. I thought of the book because I have been listening to CDs of Schubert's music of late and playing his works on the piano.
I bought and read this book repeatedly to my daughter in the 1980s. When my daughter married and had a baby daughter of her own, I gave the book to her in the hope that my daughter would remember it and that my granddaughter would hear the book or read it for herself and with time develop a love for Schubert.
The book is very short, about 40 pages, and consists of a simple story of the basic outlines of Schubert's life. Poor, overweight, clumsy, and dressed in a shabby coat, Schubert lives in an apartment in Vienna where he sings and dances in an effort to keep warm. Little Schubert heard beautiful melodies where the rest of us mere mortals could hear nothing, according to the text. He wrote music which will live forever.
The joy of this book lies less in the text and more in Goffstein's spare and simple black and white illustrations of little Schubert struggling with his bohemian life in Vienna. Goffstein's illustrations to her many children's books have received high praise. According to "Time" magazine, "Goffstein is a minimalist, but her text and pictures carry the same emotional freight as William Blake's admonishment to see the work in a grain of sand and eternity in an hour." And the New York Times Book Review observed that "a book by M.B. Goffstein is a beautifully simple and simply beautiful thing." These observations are amply supported by "A Little Schubert."
The book was first published in the early 1970's and then reissued in a slightly reduced format in 1984. The reduced format, which is the edition I have, included scores for six simplified renditions of Schubert dances on the piano by Metropolitan Opera conductor Richard Woitach.
At the age of 5, my granddaughter is already able to read this book herself. I enjoy thinking of her and of Schubert. Perhaps this book will encourage her to become interested in music and in Schubert. In any event the story is fun and the spare illustrations precious. It would be good to have this book in print again.
Robin Friedman
M.B. Goffstein's lovely children's book "A Little Schubert" brings back memories. I thought of the book because I have been listening to CDs of Schubert's music of late and playing his works on the piano.
I bought and read this book repeatedly to my daughter in the 1980s. When my daughter married and had a baby daughter of her own, I gave the book to her in the hope that my daughter would remember it and that my granddaughter would hear the book or read it for herself and with time develop a love for Schubert.
The book is very short, about 40 pages, and consists of a simple story of the basic outlines of Schubert's life. Poor, overweight, clumsy, and dressed in a shabby coat, Schubert lives in an apartment in Vienna where he sings and dances in an effort to keep warm. Little Schubert heard beautiful melodies where the rest of us mere mortals could hear nothing, according to the text. He wrote music which will live forever.
The joy of this book lies less in the text and more in Goffstein's spare and simple black and white illustrations of little Schubert struggling with his bohemian life in Vienna. Goffstein's illustrations to her many children's books have received high praise. According to "Time" magazine, "Goffstein is a minimalist, but her text and pictures carry the same emotional freight as William Blake's admonishment to see the work in a grain of sand and eternity in an hour." And the New York Times Book Review observed that "a book by M.B. Goffstein is a beautifully simple and simply beautiful thing." These observations are amply supported by "A Little Schubert."
The book was first published in the early 1970's and then reissued in a slightly reduced format in 1984. The reduced format, which is the edition I have, included scores for six simplified renditions of Schubert dances on the piano by Metropolitan Opera conductor Richard Woitach.
At the age of 5, my granddaughter is already able to read this book herself. I enjoy thinking of her and of Schubert. Perhaps this book will encourage her to become interested in music and in Schubert. In any event the story is fun and the spare illustrations precious. It would be good to have this book in print again.
Robin Friedman
January 24, 2010
I was delighted with the art and the short biography of Shubert. I had my daughter-in-law play the dance music at the end and it was wonderful, too. A great way to introduce this amazing composer to young people.
November 12, 2010
This black and white picture book tells a little about Schubert. It doesn't really tell enough to be satisfying.
Read
July 29, 2011Simple, but sweet. Now I have to listen to the 45rpm that came with it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews