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: Trio No. 2 E-Flat Major, Op. 100
Pablo Casals, Alexander Schneider, Mieczysław Horszowski
Clásica - Editado por Mve el 12/02/2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Complete Works for Piano Trio
Música de cámara - Editado por Reader's Digest Music el 1/10/2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wigmore Hall Live - Schubert: Octet, Shepherd On The Rock
Clásica - Editado por Wigmore Hall Live el 1/01/2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The History of Romantic Era Music (100 Famous Songs)
Clásica - Editado por Dream Collection el 4/12/2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: The Late Schubert
Clásica - Editado por Danacord Records el 1/01/2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. Posth. 162, D.574 (Digitally Remastered)
Vadim Repin, Irina Vinogradova
Clásica - Editado por EMG Classical el 17/02/2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Deutsche Messe (German Mass) in F Major, D.872 (Digitally Remastered)
Mozarteum Choir Salzburg, Ernst Hinreiner, Robert Kuppelwieser
Clásica - Editado por EMG Classical el 17/02/2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masters of Classical Music - Schubert
Clásica - Editado por Cobra Entertainment LLC. el 7/07/2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Victoria de los Ángeles al Palau de la Música Catalana. Concert inaugural de Catalunya Música
Victoria de los Angeles, Manuel García Morante
Música concertante - Editado por Columna Música el 10/05/2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert - Prokofiev - Russian Piano School. Dmitri Bashkirov - vol.1
Clásica - Editado por Russian Compact Disc el 11/05/1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert : Die schöne Müllerin (La Belle meunière)
Christopher Maltman, Graham Johnson
Música vocal (profana y sacra) - Editado por Wigmore Hall Live el 4/04/2011
Gramophone Editor's Choice16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schwanengesang
Kayleen Sanchez, Johnandrew Slominski
Música vocal (profana y sacra) - Editado por Soundset el 26/06/2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert - "La Trucha"
Clásica - Editado por ClassicalPirosDigital el 30/06/2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Tribute To The Conducting Genius Of Ataulfo Argenta: Schubert Ninth Symphony "The Great" In C Major
Clásica - Editado por Omega Records el 18/05/1965
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Music for Piano Four Hands
Clásica - Editado por MSR Classics el 15/07/2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin - Wigmore Hall Live
Clásica - Editado por Wigmore Hall Live el 6/04/2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert: Winterreise
Britta Schwarz, Christine Schornsheim, Franz Schubert
Clásica - Editado por Rondeau Production el 18/10/2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Piano Sonatas D 958, 959, 960
Clásica - Editado por Celestial Harmonies el 26/02/2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert - German Dances
Paul Angerer, Franz Schubert, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Clásica - Editado por Denon el 15/04/2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25, D. 795
Florian Boesch, Malcolm Martineau
Música vocal (profana y sacra) - Editado por Onyx Classics el 11/11/2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert/ Works For Piano 4 Hands Vol. II
Clásica - Editado por Claves Records el 1/01/1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo