Anna Fröhlich was one of four sisters who as a singing teacher at the Wiener Konservatorium seems to have been influential in the music circles of Vienna in the early to mid 19th century.
Anna (also known as Nanette) was part of Schubert’s friendship circle, and encouraged him (either through kindness and/or finance) to write works for women’s chorus, such as the 1827 Grillparzer Ständchen with Anna’s sister Josefine as the mezzo soprano soloist.
His setting of Psalm 23 for upper voices and piano or harp was completed in December 1820 and first performed the following August, becoming popular immediately. Schubert’s writing for the four-part upper voices is particularly effective.
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