Ein jügendlicher Maienschwung, for 3 voices, D. 61

Ein jügendlicher Maienschwung (May's Youthful Impulse), D. 61, is a three-voice a cappella canonic exercise which Schubert wrote while studying with Antonio Salieri in May 1813. But while Ein jügendlicher Maienschwung is canonically correct, it is neither dull nor pedantic. Indeed, it is one of the young Schubert's most charming and delightful inventions: a strong and healthy song which captures the spirit of vernal rapture. One can more easily imagine Ein jügendlicher Maienschwung sung as a walking song sung by a trio of husky hikers in the Austrian Alps than by a trio of sallow students in a musty classroom.