Unfinished Symphony

Hans Jaray - Schubert
Martha Eggerth - Caroline Esterhazy
Helen Chandler - Emmie Passenter
Ronald Squire - Count Esterhazy
Brember Wills - Secretary
Beryl Laverick - Mary Esterhazy
Hermine Sterler - Princess Kinsky
Cecil Humphries - Saliere
Paul Wagner - Lt. Folliot
Eliot Makeham - Joseph Passenter

Schubert, poor and miserable, and an unsuccessful composer, falls in love with Emmy, daughter of a pawnbroker. A rich friend arranges for Schubert to play at a command performance organised by Princess Kinsky. Schubert plays a solo piano version of his new, uncompleted Symphony in B Minor. Halfway through, the aristocratic Caroline Esterhazy is beard to be giggling at a private joke. The young composer leaves in a rage. Caroline, however, is impressed and persuades her father to engage him as music teacher. Schubert falls in love with her and completes his symphony under her spell. Though she returns his love, Caroline is obliged by her family to marry a fellow aristocrat. In despair, Schubert tears out the final pages of his symphony, wanting it to remain, like his great passion, unfulfilled.
Excerpt© 'Puffin Asquith' by R.J. Minney.