Franz Schubert (1797–1828) was an Austrian composer celebrated for his prolific output and profound influence on Romantic music. Despite his short life, he composed over 600 Lieder, symphonies, chamber music, operas, and piano works, leaving an enduring legacy.
Born in Vienna, Schubert displayed exceptional musical talent early on. He studied under Antonio Salieri and became known for his lyrical melodies and harmonic innovations, blending Classical structure with Romantic sensibilities.
His most famous works include Erlkönig (1815,) Ave Maria (1825,) and the song cycles Die schöne Müllerin (1823) and Winterreise (1827.) His Symphony No. 8 in B minor (Unfinished Symphony) (1822) and Symphony No. 9 in C major (Great) (1825–26) are masterpieces. His String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (Death and the Maiden) (1824) and Piano Sonata in B-flat major (1828) showcase his expressive depth.
Schubert faced financial instability and illness, passing away at 31, likely from typhoid fever or syphilis. His music gained widespread recognition posthumously, championed by Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. Biographies include Elizabeth Norman McKay’s Franz Schubert: A Biography (1996) and Christopher H. Gibbs’s The Life of Schubert (2000.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Franz Schubert
When I wished to sing of love it turned to sorrow. And when I wished to sing of sorrow it was transformed for me into love.
—Franz Schubert
Topics: Music
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