ON September 19, Harold Taylor gave a recital-lecture entitled At the Piano with Schubert.

He is the author of a book on the composer so his lecture was very well researched.

He set the scene by describing the minute apartment in Vienna where Franz Schubert was born in 1797 and told of his time in the Imperial Chapel Choir and then the Konvict, a school for court singers.

Schubert, though poor, had great musical talent and became leader and conductor at an early age.

His first compositions greatly impressed his teachers, including the renowned Salieri. His early work included a song for Theresa Grob, the rich soprano he later loved but couldn't marry. When his voice broke, he left to teach in his father's school.

Members were then treated to a lyrical performance of his Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel followed by the dramatic The Erl-King, reminding them Schubert's intellect and emotion were perfectly balanced by his musical genius.

Schubert was now able to concentrate on composition, encouraged by a small circle of influential friends who recognised his genius while the baritone Johann Vogl publicised his work in Vienna.

Members heard two more of his most loved piano pieces, one quite nostalgic and one a stirring Russian piece.

In writing songs like this, Schubert did something completely new and in time, became acknowledged as the father of German lieder.

He also wrote hundreds of waltzes and Mr Taylor delighted his audience with some, which evoked images of the wonderful ballrooms and dances of the time, while the contrasting Impromptu in E Flat demonstrated that at times, dark mood swings prevailed.

Members were told of the unfinished 8th Symphony and the dissipation that caught up with Schubert, which tragically killed him when only 31.

Beethoven is now buried next to him.

Mr Taylor chose to finish the evening with his own favourite, Rosamunde's lovely music, which he played beautifully.

The next talk will be on Friday, October 3, at 7.30pm, when Shena Mason, author and historian, talks on jewellery making in Birmingham from 1750-1995.

Meetings are held at Trinity High School. Visitors are welcome and for more details, call 01386 792082.