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Franz Schubert

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Franz Peter Schubert was a prolific Austrian composer.

Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder
Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder

He lived during the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Schubert is now recognized as one of the greatest composers in Western classical music history. Despite his short life, he created a massive body of work. This collection, or oeuvre, includes more than 1,000 individual compositions. His output features seven complete symphonies and over 600 Lieder. Lieder are German art songs that combine music with poetry.

Schubert's Brille
Schubert's Brille

His music remains a staple in concert halls worldwide today.

Schubert's compositions span many different musical forms and settings. He wrote sacred music and operas for the stage. He also composed incidental music, which is music written to accompany a play.

Nebensonnen D.911
Nebensonnen D.911

His vocal works include famous songs like "Gretchen am Spinnrade," "Erlkönig," and "Ave Maria." For instrumental music, he wrote the "Trout Quintet" and the "Unfinished" Symphony No. 8. He also produced significant chamber music, such as the String Quartet No. 14, known as "Death and the Maiden." His piano music includes the Impromptus and various sonatas. He even wrote pieces for piano four hands, which is music played by two people on one piano.

Schubert's musical journey began in the Himmelpfortgrund suburb of Vienna.

Alsergrund (Wien) - Schuberthaus (1)
Alsergrund (Wien) - Schuberthaus (1)

He was born on January 31, 1797, into a large family. He was the twelfth child of Franz Theodor and Maria Elisabeth Schubert. His father was a well-known parish schoolmaster. Early musical training was a family affair. His father provided his first violin lessons when he was eight. His brother, Ignaz, gave him piano lessons.

Re-touched possible portrait of the young Schubert, by Josef Abel
Re-touched possible portrait of the young Schubert, by Josef Abel

Schubert quickly exceeded the abilities of his teachers. He even played the viola in a family string quartet with his brothers and father.

Formal education shaped his technical skill and musical understanding. In 1808, at age eleven, he entered the Stadtkonvikt, or Imperial Seminary. He received a choir scholarship to attend this school. There, he studied the works of Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Schubert Haus00
Schubert Haus00

He also gained exposure to the songs of Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg. Schubert later studied composition privately with Antonio Salieri. Salieri was a leading musical authority who had previously taught Beethoven. This training helped Schubert develop his own unique style of composition.

Life was not always easy for the young composer. After leaving the Stadtkonvikt in 1813, he returned home to train as a teacher. For over two years, he taught the youngest pupils at his father's school. This period was characterized by severe drudgery and unhappiness.

Karikatur von Johann Michael Voglund Franz Schubert%2C circa 1825
Karikatur von Johann Michael Voglund Franz Schubert%2C circa 1825

He managed to earn enough money for basic needs like pens and ink. However, he had very little left for luxuries. During this time, he also experienced personal struggles. Historians suggest he may have suffered from cyclothymia, a condition involving mood changes. He also faced difficulties in his personal life, such as marriage-consent laws that hindered his relationship with Therese Grob.

Schubert's productivity was immense, especially during his middle years. In 1815 alone, he composed over 20,000 bars of music. This included roughly 140 Lieder and nine church works.

Waldmüller, 'La soprano Josephine Fröhlich, el barítono Johann Michael Vogl y Franz Schubert cantan y tocan un lied a tres voces'
Waldmüller, 'La soprano Josephine Fröhlich, el barítono Johann Michael Vogl y Franz Schubert cantan y tocan un lied a tres voces'

He also built strong connections with a circle of friends. These included Anselm Hüttenbrenner, Franz von Schober, and Johann Mayrhofer. In 1821, he became a performing member of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. This helped establish his reputation among the citizens of Vienna. He gave his only public concert of his own works in March 1828.

Schubert died at the age of 31 in November 1828. The official cause of death was attributed to typhoid fever.

Franz Schubert by Kriehuber 1846
Franz Schubert by Kriehuber 1846

While he was alive, his fame was limited to a small circle of admirers. His global influence grew significantly after his death. Famous 19th-century composers such as Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms championed his music. They helped the world discover the depth of his talent. Today, his symphonies, songs, and chamber music are recognized as essential parts of the Western musical tradition.

Schubert Denkmal Stadtpark Wien
Schubert Denkmal Stadtpark Wien
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File:Alsergrund (Wien) - Schuberthaus (1).JPG
Alsergrund (Wien) - Schuberthaus (1).JPG
File:Re-touched possible portrait of the young Schubert, by Josef Abel.jpg
Re-touched possible portrait of the young...
File:Karikatur_von_Johann_Michael_Voglund_Franz_Schubert%2C_circa_1825.jpg
Karikatur_von_Johann_Michael_Voglund_Franz...
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File:Waldmüller, 'La soprano Josephine Fröhlich, el barítono Johann Michael Vogl y Franz Schubert cantan y tocan un lied a tres voces'.png
Waldmüller, 'La soprano Josephine...
File:Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder.jpeg
Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder.jpeg
File:Franz Schubert by Kriehuber 1846.jpg
Franz Schubert by Kriehuber 1846.jpg
File:Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder 1875.jpg
Franz Schubert by Wilhelm August Rieder 1875.jpg
File:Schubert's Brille.jpg
Schubert's Brille.jpg
File:Kalvarienbergkirche Hernals 9.JPG
Kalvarienbergkirche Hernals 9.JPG
File:Schubert Franz.jpg
Schubert Franz.jpg
File:Nebensonnen D.911.jpg
Nebensonnen D.911.jpg

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