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: Symphony No. 9 in C Major "The Great"
Staatskapelle Dresden, Herbert Blomstedt
Sinfonie - Pubblicato da Berlin Classics il 1 gen 1996
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Chinese New Year Music (Instrumental)
Classica - Pubblicato da Schubert il 31 gen 2022
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The Classical Greats Series, Vol.41: Schubert
Classica - Pubblicato da Global Journey il 18 giu 2013
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Clásicos del Milenio, La Inacabada Sinfonía No. 8, Trágica Sinfonía No. 4
Radio Symphony Orchestra Ljubljana, Süddeustsche Philarmonie
Classica - Pubblicato da Piros - Send il 14 mar 2014
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Impromptu No. 3 in G-Flat Major, Op. 51
Musica alternativa e indie - Pubblicato da BAWER il 30 gen 2023
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Eclectic Schubert (Electronic Version)
Elettronica - Pubblicato da Digi Records il 28 feb 2021
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That Failing Smile EP
Techno - Pubblicato da Jays Records il 3 giu 2011
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SYMPHONY n°8 nel minore di B D 759
Classica - Pubblicato da City Record il 12 giu 1990
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The Genius Of Schubert
Classica - Pubblicato da Pennrose Media LLC il 1 ago 2007
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Dream... Hope... Believe...
Rock - Pubblicato da Norman Schubert il 11 ago 2020
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Orchestral Classics On Piano: The Franz Schubert Collection
Classica - Pubblicato da Archived Music il 14 ago 2012
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SYNPHONY n° 5 in B Piano D 485
Classica - Pubblicato da City Record il 20 mag 1990
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Modern Zombies
Techno - Pubblicato da Jays Records il 20 nov 2018
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Halloween 101 - Classical Piano Monsters
Classica - Pubblicato da Renegade Media Network il 4 ago 2009
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Be My Valentine!
Rock - Pubblicato da Norman Schubert il 1 feb 2020
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Der Tod und das Mädchen (BeLly Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Dance - Pubblicato da Madil Hardis il 3 giu 2022
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Classical Piano Renditions: Franz Schubert
Classica - Pubblicato da Archived Music il 25 giu 2013
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Frohe Weihnacht
Rock - Pubblicato da Teutonia Records il 11 nov 2014
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