Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert 1797 – Schubert is born.

Active during the late Classical and early Romantic era (1750-1850), Schubert wrote over 1,000 compositions. Schubert was a contemporary of Ludwig van Beethoven and therefore was not fully appreciated until after his death. Here is a performance of his incidental music for the play Rosamunde, Fürstin von Zypern. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbWptXo2ndE&feature=player_embedded

1813 – Schubert composes his first Symphony. Franz Schubert was a transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras. Like Beethoven, Schubert was greatly influenced by composers of the Classical Era (i.e. Haydn and Mozart) as was evident in his earlier work, featured here. He wrote this at the mere age of 16. Note the frequent repetition of short musical phrases exchanged between instruments and the even play between softer and louder dynamics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAcWClO4Xos&feature=youtu.be

1815 – Schubert writes Heindenroslein. Schubert's contribution to the development of Lieder (songs) was immense. He was the first great composer to write music to compliment the lyrics of the Lied (song). Many of his songs are based on Goethe poems. Heidenroslein (“The Hedgrerose”) was one of 150 songs Schubert wrote in 1815 and is considered an absolute gem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fco_82_gKKg&feature=youtu.be

Schubert lived in Vienna his entire life, which at the time was considered the music capital of the world and home to many great composers. It was a time of transition from the old European social system to the modern world brought on by the French Revolution. Music became an important social force that provided an escape to the dread and oppression brought on by the censorship of the Austrian government, wary of a similar Revolution, during the early 1800’s.

1817 – Schubert composes his Piano Sonata in B D.575.

The Piano Sonata (written in 3 or 4 movements for solo piano) came into prominence during the classical era. Schubert wrote a total of 19 piano sonatas. The piano was an intimate instrument for Schubert as reflected in his highly personal sonatas. Although neglected for nearly a century after his death, Schubert’s sonatas are now performed alongside some of the world’s greatest piano compositions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62UNxXNv1Jc&feature=player_embedded

1818 – Schubert composes his 5th Symphony. Schubert’s 5th Symphony is very classical in its structure. Can you hear the dialogue between the instruments? The first musical theme is repeated between flute and violin. The second theme is echoed by the flute and oboe. Although very much in the style of Mozart, Schubert does puts his mark on the composition by changing back and forth from major to minor, altering the mood from light to dark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3difj0KDi8M&feature=youtu.be

Schubert’s songs were mainly intended for the enjoyment of an intimate group of talented writers, poets, artists, and students. Organized parties known as “Schubertiads” were held at each other’s home and included charades, poetry readings, play acting, and a listen to Schubert’s latest composition. Der Erlkönig is one of Schubert’s most famous songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9yGwoxMLeo&feature=youtu.be

1819 – Schubert writes the Trout Quintet. Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major, op. 114 (Trout Quintet) was completed in 1819 and considered his first masterpiece in instrumental music. The fourth movement includes variations from an earlier lied “Die Forelle (The Trout)”. It is a tale of a happy little fish who is finally caught by a determined fisherman. The transition to the Romantic Era begins!

This composition is written in five movements and includes unusual harmonic structure for its time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzg1abZyOs&feature=youtu.bepzg1abZyOs&feature=youtu.be

1820 – The Classical Era comes to a close. Schubert studied music from the Classical Era (1750-1820) which favored form and balance, and clear division of parts. Higher instruments play the melody, mid-range instruments the harmonies, and lower-tone instruments the rhythmic foundation. Notable composers of this era include Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788), Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-GVoReKSCo&feature=youtu.be

1822 – Schubert contracts syphilis.

In 1822, Schubert contracted syphilis. It was incurable and ultimately fatal. Forever changed, Franz lived a life that alternated between occasional hope and absolute despair. Schubert began work on his famous Eighth Symphony just when his symptoms became obvious. He never attempted to have it published or performed. It is called his “Unfinished” Symphony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCpuCDNnVl8&feature=youtu.be

1823 – Schubert writes his first song cycle. Schubert’s illness did not stop his creative output. In 1823 he wrote his first song cycle, Die schöne Müllerin (the Fair Maid of the Mill), based on a sequence of poems by Wilhelm Müller. It is about a young miller who falls in love with his employer’s daughter. Love is returned…until a handsome rival appears. The rejected lover drowns himself in the millstream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-TPEW84kyQ&feature=youtu.be 1825 – Schubert composes Ellens dritter Gesang.

Here is the beginning of the song translated into English:. Ave Maria! Maiden mild! Listen to a maiden's prayer! Thou canst hear though from the wild; Thou canst save amid despair. Safe may we sleep beneath thy care, Though banish'd, outcast and reviled Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; Mother, hear a suppliant child! Ave Maria

Schubert composed Ellens dritter Gesang (Ellens third song) in 1825 as part of his song cycle Liederzyklus vom Fräulein vom – loosely based on Walter Scott’s popular poem The Lady of the Lake. It is arguably the most recognized melody Schubert wrote. The original text is most often substituted with the Roman Catholic prayer Ave Maria (Hail Mary). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9sxwiNgnvw&fe ature=youtu.be

1827 – Schubert composes the song cycle Wintereisse. In 1827, Schubert composed his song cycle Winterreise (Winter Journey), based on poems by Wilhelm Muller. It is a tragic set of 24 songs which explore the depth of loneliness and despair reflected in the bleak winter landscape. The piano is very effective in expressing the mood and imagery. One can hear the effects of nature such as the creatures, the storm, water under the ice, and the ravens croaking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTu_Jreo1SQ&feature=youtu.be

1828 – Schubert dies. Although Schubert was often sick after contracting syphilis in 1822, the actual cause of his death was typhoid fever. Schubert was buried next to his idol Beethoven, at the Wahring cemetery in Vienna. A monument was erected over his grave, bearing a bronze bust of the composer. On it reads “The art of music has buried here a rich possession, but even greater hopes.”

Schubert’s final work while still conscious was the correction of proofs from his Winterreise cycle for his publisher. Only 31 years old, he died at his Brother Ferdinand’s home on November 19, 1828. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q2NPG0F5ko&feature=yo utu.be

1838 – The manuscript for the Great C Major Symphony is found

Schubert’s Great C Major Symphony (No. 9) was neither published nor performed in his lifetime. Ten years after his death, the manuscript was discovered in 1838 by German composer Robert Schumann while visiting the home of Schubert’ brother Ferdinand. It is called “Great” because of its length (typically 55 minutes). It is also considered his greatest orchestral accomplishment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx8GhBGrE8g&feature=youtu.be

Schubert was known to leave some of his works unfinished. Only the first and second movement of Piano Sonata D840 (C Major) are complete. What follows are mere sketches and fragments of Schubert's intentions. Attempting to reconstruct these fragments takes a good amount of research (and courage) on the part of the performer. Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991) was a leading interpreter and devotee of Schubert’s music.