Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was among the first of the Romantics, and the composer who, more than any other, brought the art song (lied) to artistic maturity. During his short but prolific career, he produced masterpieces in nearly every genre, all characterized by rich harmonies, an expansive treatment of classical forms, and a seemingly endless gift for melody.
Schubert began his earliest musical training studying with his father and brothers. Having passed an audition, Schubert enrolled at the Stadtkonvikt that trained young vocalists to eventually sing at the chapel of The Imperial Court. Schubert began to explore composition and wrote a song that came to the attention of the institution's director, Antonio Salieri, who along with the school's professor of harmony, hailed young Schubert as a genius. In 1813, after Schubert's voice broke, he returned to live with his father, who directed him to follow in his footsteps and become a schoolteacher. Schubert begrudgingly complied and worked miserably in that capacity by day, while composing prolifically by night. He had written more than 100 songs as well as numerous symphonic, operatic, and chamber music scores, before he reached the age of 20.
Schubert finally left his teaching position to dedicate himself completely to musical pursuits. During the summer of 1818, the young composer worked as a private music teacher to the aristocratic Esterházy family. When he left that post in the fall, Schubert lived a somewhat bohemian lifestyle, composing and spending time with a group of friends that acted as his personal support system. In 1820, Schubert was commissioned by two opera houses, the Karthnerthor Theatre and Theatre-an-der-Wein, to compose a pair of operas. He wrote Die Zwillingsbrüder, and Zauberharfe, both of which were unenthusiastically received. Schubert failed to secure a contract with a publisher, as none were willing to take a chance on a relatively unknown composer who wrote harmonically untraditional music. Schubert, along with the support of his artistic friends, published his own work for a collection of roughly 100 subscribers. These efforts, however, were financially unrewarding, and Schubert struggled to sustain himself. His work garnered little attention and contemporary composers dismissed his music as presumptuous and immature.
In 1823, Schubert was elected to the Musikverein of Graz, as an honorary member. Though this brought no financial reward and was an inconsequential appointment, Schubert relished its slight recognition, and to show his gratitude, composed his famous Unfinished Symphony. Five years later, Schubert's music was featured at a concert at Vienna's Musikverein. His work was received quite enthusiastically, and to much critical acclaim. This marked the only time during the composer's life that he enjoyed such success. This seemed to provide Schubert with a renewed sense of optimism, and despite illness, the composer continued to produce at an incredible rate. He began to organize a scheme to increase his artistic popularity, by continuing to evaluate his work and progress as a musician, perhaps even planning to study harmony privately. Schubert's health did not improve, and he soon found himself at death's door. During the composer's last moments, he instructed his brother Ferdinand to ensure that he would be buried alongside Ludwig van Beethoven's grave. Schubert revered the legendary composer, and was grateful to him, as Beethoven had praised his work after hearing a selection of songs. Schubert also highly regarded the work of both Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Franz Schubert died of syphilis.
Despite his short life, Schubert produced a wealth of symphonies, operas, masses, chamber music pieces, and piano sonatas, most of which are considered standard repertoire. He is known primarily for composing hundreds of songs including Gretchen am Spinnrade, and Erlkonig. He pioneered the song cycle with such works as Die Schöne Müllerin, and Winterreise, and greatly affected the vocal writing of both Robert Schumann and Gustav Mahler.
© David Brensilver /TiVo
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Schubert: German Dances
Klassiek - Released by Tuxedo Music on 3 apr. 2013
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Schubert: Violin Sonata (Sonatina) in G Minor No. 3, Op. Posth. 137, D. 408 - Duo Sonata in A Major, Op. Posth. 162, D. 574 - Fantasy in C Major for Violin and Piano, Op. Posth. 159, D. 934
Andrej Lutschg, Bernhard Billeter
Concertmuziek - Released by VDE-GALLO on 5 jan. 2013
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Schubert - Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished" / Beethoven - Symphony No. 5
Klassiek - Released by Stradivari Classics on 20 dec. 2012
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Franz Schubert: Rondo brillant – Rondo en la – Grand duo
Kamermuziek - Released by VDE-GALLO on 26 jul. 2012
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Franz Schubert: Impromptus op. 90
Klassiek - Released by Seyffert Music on 9 sep. 2011
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Marche Militaire
Klassiek - Released by Amathus Music on 14 mrt. 2006
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Franz Schubert: The Greatest Classical Moments
Klassiek - Released by Amathus Music on 19 apr. 2011
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Schubert & Chopin: The Greatest Classical Moments
Klassiek - Released by Amathus Music on 19 apr. 2011
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Ave Maria
Klassiek - Released by Ling Music Group on 23 mrt. 2011
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Schubert & Chopin (Classical Piano Masterpieces)
Klassiek - Released by Amathus Music on 19 apr. 2011
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Beautiful Wedding Music (Cherish The Moment)
Klassiek - Released by Amathus Music on 23 nov. 2010
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Sinfonia Inacabada Y Overtura Op. 170 En DO Mayor
Symfonische muziek - Released by Music Hit Factory on 1 dec. 2008
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Rosamunda
Symfonische muziek - Released by Music Hit Factory on 1 dec. 2008
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Franz Schubert, String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 (Death And The Maiden)
Klassiek - Released by Classical.com Music on 16 feb. 2009
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Franz Schubert - String Quartet Op.161
Klassiek - Released by Classic art on 17 sep. 2001
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Great Composers Collection: Franz Schubert
Klassiek - Released by Classic Fox Records on 1 jan. 2003
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Traces III
Techno - Released by Black Swan Records on 10 jun. 2016
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Traces II Remixed
Techno - Released by Black Swan Records on 19 jan. 2015
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The Definitive Collection Of Franz Schubert
Pop - Released by Only Between Us Records on 9 jun. 2017
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Instrumental Poetry: Franz Schubert
Klassiek - Released by Only Between Us Records on 26 mei 2017
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Classical Hall: Franz Schubert
Pop - Released by Only Between Us Records on 5 mei 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo