On the weekend of Valentine’s Day, Fountain Hills Chamber Players presents its very first “Schubertiade,” in honor of the passionate and deeply creative Franz Schubert, an Austrian composer who died at a young age but managed a prolific output before his departure.

The Schubertiade is an intimate concert tradition started by Schubert and his contemporaries that is continued today.

Most recognized for his German Lieder (songs), Schubert composed over 600 vocal masterpieces.

Fountain Hills Chamber Players are pairing a set of four of these beloved stories in song, some of which are very famous and some lesserknown but still stirring and beautiful.

Schubert borrows themes and gestures from some of his Leider and puts them to further use in the String Quartet No. 13 in A minor.

The quartet to be played was nicknamed “Rosamunde” after a famous German play for which Schubert wrote incidental music. This piece came during a time of intense chamber music creation for Schubert, where many of his famous instrumental works were completed, and it bears elements of familiarity across the movements, strongly binding the work together as a whole unit.

Preceding the Schubertiade, a talk at 2:30 p.m. with Artistic Director Joseph Kluesener and featured performers from the afternoon’s program will share their special insight into the beauty and performance intricacies of this music.

Join the group Sunday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church to celebrate the passion and intensity in Schubert’s artfully composed songs and chamber music as the group continues celebrating the 18th season of playing chamber music in Fountain Hills.

Don’t forget to enjoy the reception following the concert with treats furnished by Phil’s of Fountain Hills and served by the local Four Peaks Women’s Club.

Tickets are $20 adults; $10 students and may be purchased at www.fountainhillschamberplayers.org or by calling 480-816-5020.