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Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher, illustrated by Mary Greenwalt:
Franz Schubert and his Merry Friends,
1st edition Dutton, New York:1939
Curtain Calls for Franz Schubert,
1st edition Dutton, New York:1941
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The first introduction to
composer’s biographies for many children will have been books
by the American writers Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher, which were
staple fare in school libraries. In addition to the book and play
here about Schubert, they also produced similar books and plays
about Mozart (the wonder boy), Haydn (the merry little peasant),
Bach (the boy from Thuringia), the American composers Foster and
MacDowell, as well as for the artists Millet and Giotto. That these
books were very popular can be attested by the number of printings
on both sides of the Atlantic - they were still being reprinted more
than 20 years after they were written, and the Schubert and Mozart
books went to over 20 printings.
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Their Schubert book, merry
friends was first published in 1939. It is a handsome book,
124pp, 9½" by 8½", with cream pictorial boards
(boys leaving the convict on the front, gypsies at Zseliz on the
back, the front picture also appearing on the dustwrapper). These
bold pictures, and many more inside, were by Mary Greenwalt, and are
an attractive addition to the book. Whilst not intended to be
historically accurate, they are not mere hack work, and the places
and people drawn are often recognisable. Also included are many
selections of Schubert’s music, selected "with the
understanding of children’s tastes and technical limitations".
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The text of the book is a
very simple biography, which concentrates on Schubert’s early
years and his friends. It stops before any signs of illness or
death, and at least they don’t claim that he lived happily ever
after, although they do imply that everything in the (beer) garden
was rosy. They also have a solution to the problem which has puzzled
musicologists for years: why did he not complete the unfinished
symphony? Apparently, his friends dragged him out to a picnic!
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Curtain Calls
is described as a musical play for children, and is just the
sort of thing proud parents watch their youngsters perform in at
primary school. It follows Schubert from his 11th year into young
manhood. It is 103pp, of the same size and style as merry
friends, with similar illustrations, and includes selections
of Schubert’s music to be performed during the play.
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If your collection of Schubertiana
extends beyond ‘serious’ books, these are well worth
obtaining. They are not difficult to find second hand, though
curtain calls is less common. Expect to pay £10-£15 for
merry friends (depending upon condition and edition) at a children’s
or music book specialist, less at a general dealer. Curtain calls is
likely to be a few pounds more.
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© Richard Morris August 1998 |
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