Franz Schubert’s Die Winterreise

Embrace and release the heaviness of winter with Franz Schubert’s Die Winterreise from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, February 24th, at First United Church of Christ in Northfield, MN. Justin Spenner (“a wild and anxious ride” – Star Tribune) and Carson Rose Schneider  (stunning and emotionally evocative- Cherry and Spoon) draw on their collective 15 years of experience performing Die Winterreise to delve deep into the human psyche. Their unique interpretation asks the thought-provoking question: ‘What causes a person to feel unloved?’

First UCC, with only 300 seats, provides a remarkably intimate venue to experience Die Winterreise- which is rarely performed in MN. The small space, paired with the setting sun, makes for an idyllic setting for Schubert and Müller’s masterpiece.

Of special note is the gallery-like nature of this recital, encouraging the audience to move around the space and process their experience if they desire to. The artists will provide reflection stations with simple art materials, journals, and trinkets to augment this pensive experience.

Recital producer Justin Spenner states:
“I grew up going to punk shows, not classical recitals- so, I crave a different interaction with the performance space and the people who fill it. Think of this as a communal recital experience that allows artists and audiences to converse- to share their thoughts on life, their day, or even the moment. The result is remarkable.”

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for a pre-concert open discussion at 4:00 pm, where they will gain deeper insights into the artistic choices made by Spenner and Schneider. The music will begin at approximately 4:30 pm and end around 5:45. Full families are welcome! Schubert would have relished the challenge of a bored child- and so do the artists.

Tickets for this event are available at the door (no presale tickets) on a sliding scale of $0-$20+. The suggested ticket price is $20 for General and $10 for Students. The pay-as-able model ensures the performance remains financially accessible to all, no questions asked. Baritone Justin Spenner and Pianist Carson Rose Schneider’s previous Die Winterreise performances have garnered praise.

Attendees from their 2023 performances stated:

“Thank you so much for this transformative experience”

“ That was the most metal Winterreise I’ve ever heard.”

“I had yet to experience the Wintereisse in such an intimately potent setting – it was mesmerizing to be fully immersed
in Schubert’s music and Muller’s poetry”