Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Born Franz Peter Schubert, January 31, 1797 in Vienna One of five living children of Franz Theodor Schubert and Elisabeth Vietz. At age six received instruction by his father. Learned basic violin technique from his father and his brother Ignaz gave him piano lessons. At age seven received lessons by Michael Holzer, organist and choirmaster. In 1804 his vocal talent was recognized and in 1808 he became a pupil at the Stadtkonvikt through a choir scholarship. He was introduced to symphonies by Mozart and Joseph and Michael Haydn. These laid the foundation for a broader musical education. At this time he started showing how genius he was through his compositions. In 1813 when his voice broke, he returned to live with his father. In 1814 became teacher at his father’s school. In 1815 he composed over 20, 000 bars of music, more than half were for orchestra, nine of which were church works, a symphony, and about 140 Lieder. Was nicknamed “Schwammerl” by his friends, meaning “Tubby” or “Little Mushroom,” because he was less than five feet tall. Schubert and four friends were arrested in 1820 by Austrian police, who after the French revolution and Napoleonic Wars were suspicious of revolutionary activities and gatherings of youth or students. He was “severely reprimanded” while one friend was imprisoned for a year and then permanently forbidden to enter Vienna. In 1820 wrote music for one and three act plays that were not well received. In 1821 offered his songs on a subscription basis In 1828 he gave a public concert of his own works, for the only time of his career. Primary support came from group of friends that recognized his genius, they called themselves “Schubertians.”

Schubert was among the first of the Romantics, and the composer, who more than anyone, brought the art song (lied) to maturity. Wrote one of the most famous of all lieder, Der Erlkonig. On November 19, 1828 he died of syphilis and was buried next to Beethoven, which was Schubert’s request in the village cemetery of Wahring.

Franz Schubert’s Grave Franz Schubert’s Birthplace

"No one understands another's grief, no one understands another's joy "No one understands another's grief, no one understands another's joy....My music is the product of my talent and my misery. And that which I have written in my greatest distress is what the world seems to like best." Franz Schubert

Franz Shubert “Die Forelle” (“The Trout”) 1817

“Die Forelle” (“The Trout”) written to the poem of a german poet, Christian Friedrich Schubart Written in 1817 The song is written about a fisherman trying to catch a trout, but the underlying moral is about young girls who need to watch out for young men pursuing them. It is in single key D flat minor

Fourth Movement from Quintet in A Major

Instead of normal string quartet, Schubert uses one violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Written in 1819 Movement consists of “Trout” theme and six variations. Written for an amateur cellist and wealthy mine owner, Sylvester Paumgartner. Not published until 1829, one year after his death.