articles / Chapman Challenge

Did Anybody Ever Finish Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony?

Chapman ChallengeSchubertPop CultureMusic HistoryClassical California Ultimate Playlist


Our Alan Chapman has a lot to say about music, but can he say it in 60 seconds? That’s the Chapman Challenge. We ask a question and Alan has a minute to answer it.

Today’s question comes from a listener named Trudy, who asks: “Did anybody ever finish Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony?”

Hit play below to listen to the Chapman Challenge.  
Did Anybody Ever Finish Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony?
    First, let me mention that Schubert completed the first two movements and left behind a sketch of the opening of the third. And numerous composers have stepped forward to finish it. I’ll mention just a couple. In 1892, August Ludwig wrote a “Philosophical Scherzo” to be the third movement and a “March of Fate” to be the fourth. In the 1970s, a British composer named Brian Newbould produced a completion that’s been called “more Schubertian” than earlier efforts.

A special inducement was made in 1928. To mark the centennial of Schubert’s death, the Columbia Graphophone Company sponsored a competition for the best completion of the Unfinished, but along the way, they changed the rules to allow composers to submit original symphonies. Apparently, they decided it was best to leave the Unfinished unfinished. The panel of judges included the Danish composer Carl Nielsen and the cash prize of $10,000 (about $145,000 in today’s dollars) went to the Swedish composer Kurt Atterberg. And because of the monetary award his work was nicknamed the “Dollar Symphony.”

Chapman ChallengeSchubertPop CultureMusic HistoryClassical California Ultimate Playlist
Written by:
Alan Chapman
Alan Chapman
Published on 04.01.2019

MORE LIKE THIS

The Story Behind Mozart’s “Bonus” 41st Symphony

The Story Behind Mozart’s “Bonus” 41st Symphony

"Alan Chapman explains the confusion around Mozart's symphony numbering, revealing Symphony No. 37 was mistakenly attributed to Mozart, affecting subsequent numbering."

Chapman Challenge
09/18/2019
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Story Behind the Gewandhaus Orchestra?

Chapman Challenge: What’s the Story Behind the Gewandhaus Orchestra?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains the origin of the Gewandhaus Orchestra's name, its connection to Leipzig's textile trade, and its evolution as a musical center since 1781.

Chapman Challenge
05/24/2019
What’s the Relationship Among the Movements in a Symphony?

What’s the Relationship Among the Movements in a Symphony?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the harmonic and melodic relationships among the movements of a symphony, using Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as an example.

Chapman Challenge
04/01/2019
Chapman Challenge: What’s an Opus Number?

Chapman Challenge: What’s an Opus Number?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan Chapman explains opus numbers in music, their purpose, and how they don't necessarily indicate the order of a composer's works.

Chapman Challenge
04/01/2019
Chapman Challenge: Who Named Haydn’s Symphonies?

Chapman Challenge: Who Named Haydn’s Symphonies?

"Explore the Chapman Challenge where Alan Chapman discusses the origins of Haydn's symphony nicknames. Learn how most were named by others, often inspired by the music itself or unique events."

Chapman Challenge
04/01/2019
Chapman Challenge: Why Don’t We Hear Music from Legendary Teacher Nadia Boulanger?

Chapman Challenge: Why Don’t We Hear Music from Legendary Teacher Nadia Boulanger?

This article discusses Nadia Boulanger, a renowned music teacher of the 20th century, and why she chose teaching over composing despite her vast knowledge and skill in music.

Chapman Challenge
04/01/2019