Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria. He was the twelfth child in a family that would eventually total fourteen children. His father, Franz Theodor Schubert, was a schoolmaster, and his mother, Elisabeth, was a homemaker. Schubert showed musical promise from a young age, and his family supported his musical education. This early beginning set the stage for Schubert to become one of the most prolific and significant composers of the late Classical and early Romantic eras.

In 1815, a young Franz Schubert composed 'Erlkönig,' one of his most famous songs and a seminal example of the Lied form. The piece is a setting of Goethe's poem of the same name, which tells a supernatural tale of a father and son pursued by the sinister Erlking. Schubert's composition is notable for its dramatic intensity and use of piano to mimic the pounding of horse hooves. 'Erlkönig' was an early work that demonstrated Schubert's unique genius for marrying text and music in powerful ways.

The first public performance of a Franz Schubert composition occurred on March 7, 1821. The concert took place at the Vienna Musikverein and featured Schubert's 'Erlkönig', among other works. This performance marked a significant milestone in Schubert's career, as it was the beginning of his recognition as a composer in Vienna. Despite his talent, Schubert struggled for recognition during his lifetime, and events such as this were crucial in bringing his work to a broader audience.

Franz Schubert's song cycle 'Die schöne Müllerin' was published in 1823. This song cycle, based on poems by Wilhelm Müller, tells the story of a young miller who falls in love with a miller's daughter. It is one of Schubert's most important contributions to the Lied genre, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotion and storytelling through music. The cycle consists of 20 songs and reflects Schubert's mastery in composing for the human voice.

In 1824, Schubert composed the String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, known as 'Death and the Maiden'. This work stands as one of Schubert's most profound chamber music compositions. The quartet's second movement is a set of variations on Schubert's earlier Lied 'Der Tod und das Mädchen'. The piece is characterized by its dark themes and emotional depth, reflecting Schubert's awareness of his own mortality and his struggle with illness.

Completed in 1827, 'Winterreise' is another of Schubert's significant song cycles, composed during the final year of his life. The cycle consists of 24 songs based on poems by Wilhelm Müller. 'Winterreise' explores themes of unrequited love, alienation, and existential despair. It is considered one of the pinnacles of German Lied and demonstrates Schubert's deep sensitivity to textual meaning and emotional expression through music. This cycle remains a staple of the Lied repertoire today.

On March 26, 1828, Franz Schubert gave his only public concert that was devoted entirely to his own music. The concert was held at the hall of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. Although Schubert gained a modest sum from the event, it was significant as it provided much-needed funds and was an acknowledgment of his growing fame in Vienna. The concert featured a variety of his works, and its relative success was a bright spot in the final year of his life.

Franz Schubert died on November 19, 1828, at the age of 31 in Vienna, following an extended illness, likely typhoid fever. Despite his brief life, Schubert left behind an astonishing body of work, including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and over 600 vocal works. His compositions, particularly his Lieder, continue to influence musicians and composers today. Schubert was buried next to Ludwig van Beethoven, whom he greatly admired, in the Währing Cemetery in Vienna.

On October 23, 1863, Franz Schubert’s remains were exhumed and relocated to the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna. This was done alongside the remains of Ludwig van Beethoven, whose grave was also moved, fulfilling the wish of Schubert to rest near Beethoven, his musical idol. Today, the Zentralfriedhof is among Vienna's most famous cemeteries, known for being the resting place of many prominent composers and musicians.

The Symphony No. 8 in B minor, commonly referred to as the 'Unfinished Symphony', was rediscovered and received its first public performance in December 1865 in Vienna, conducted by Johann von Herbeck. However, the premiere did not gain widespread attention until much later, contributing to Schubert's posthumous fame. It consists of only two movements, though Schubert may have intended to complete it; the reasons it remained unfinished are still a matter of speculation.