himmlische Länge
German composer
Definition
Heavenly length. Schumann's description of Schubert's C major Symphony, but equally applicable to the late piano sonatas — their expansive time scale is a deliberate artistic quality, not a structural flaw.
Interpretive Guidance
Resist the temptation to speed up long transitions or development sections. Schubert's repetitions and prolongations are emotionally meaningful — each return to a theme after a long absence should feel like coming home after a journey.