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
-
The History of Schubert (100 Famous Songs)
Klassiek - Released by Dream Collection on 11 dec. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert - Sonatas para Piano
Klassiek - Released by JamadaDigital on 18 dec. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: 150th Commemorative Recital
Klassiek - Released by Musical Heritage Society on 6 aug. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music for Double Bass
Klassiek - Released by Tuxedo Music on 23 mei 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert: Symphonien Nos. 5 D485 & 8 D759 "Unvollendete" / "Unfinished"
The London Festival Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra Ljubljana
Klassiek - Released by JamadaDigital on 16 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Romantic Ballet Music: Rosamunde, Giselle, Faust
London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Slavonica
Balletten - Released by Blaricum CD Company (B.C.D.) B.V. on 27 feb. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rosamunde - Symphony No. 8 (Alternate Mix)
Munich Festival Orchestra/SCHUBERT
Klassiek - Released by YOYO USA, Inc. on 1 jan. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Little Classical Masterpieces
Klassiek - Released by Cobra Entertainment LLC on 28 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Impromptus, Sonata in A Major, D. 644, Moments Musicaux
Klassiek - Released by Musical Heritage Society on 6 aug. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Viagem De Inverno - Winterreise (Franz Schubert)
Opera - Released by About Music on 1 jan. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Sonata D major D 850 "Gastein" / 34 Valses sentimentales D 779 / Ungarische Melodie D 817
Klassiek - Released by Celestial Harmonies on 1 jan. 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert - Brahms - Bartok: Sonatas for Violin and Piano
Klassiek - Released by Intermusic S.A. on 10 aug. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
For Studying: All You Need Classics
Klassiek - Released by Cobra Entertainment LLC on 3 jun. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert: Death And The Maiden - Quartettsatz
Klassiek - Released by Classic art on 1 apr. 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Le printemps
Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Franz Schubert
Klassiek - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 2 apr. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 "The Great"
Klassiek - Released by Lodia Music International on 4 jul. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25, D. 795
Klassiek - Released by Claves Records on 25 jan. 2015
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Bradshaw & Buono Perform Schubert
Klassiek - Released by Albany Records on 1 jan. 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert Piano Trio in B flat, Op.99
Klassiek - Released by Musica Omnia on 13 okt. 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert Sonatas on Brodmann's Hammerklavier
Klassiek - Released by Claves Records on 16 jun. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert: Quintets D. 956 & D. 8
Kamermuziek - Released by Claves Records on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo