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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A Box of Classics
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 26/12/2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Liszt : Transcriptions of Franz Schubert Songs
Classical - Released by Celestial Harmonies on 1/01/2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Most Beautiful Lieder
Gerald Moore, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Classical - Released by ISIS on 2/05/2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Homage to Schubert: György Kurtág • Jörg Widmann • Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by AVIE Records on 11/11/2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Peaceful Beethoven & Schubert
Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 22/11/2020
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Schubert: Winterreise
Classical - Released by Fineline Classical on 17/09/2002
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A Classical Evening
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 29/12/2023
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Franz Schubert: Works for Piano 4 Hands Vol. I
Classical - Released by Claves Records on 1/01/1988
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Christmas Greatest Songs, Vol. 2
Christmas Music - Released by Groupe Analekta, Inc on 11/12/2015
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Florian Boesch & Malcolm Martineau: Schubert Lieder Recital
Florian Boesch, Malcolm Martineau
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Onyx Classics on 10/06/2016
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Karajan conducts Schubert and Schumann
Herbert von Karajan, Robert Schumann, Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 12/06/2021
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Shwarzkopf Sings Schubert Lieder
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Regis Records on 16/07/2013
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Radu Lupu: The Virtuosic Piano
Radu Lupu, Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 13/10/2021
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Robert Schumann: Violin Concerto in D Minor - Franz Schubert: Concerto, Polonaise, Rondo
Jean-Jacques Kantorow, Emmanuel Krivine, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann
Classical - Released by Denon on 1/01/2010
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Schubert: Military March in D Major, Op. 51, No. 1, D.733 (Digitally Remastered)
Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Ilmar Lapinsch
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on 17/02/2015
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A Classical Winter
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 4/12/2023
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Schubert Classical Music
Classical - Released by Armasi on 24/12/2018
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Colours of Classical - Great Composers
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on 30/01/2024
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Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Claves Records on 16/10/2015
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Schubert: Winterreise - Wigmore Hall Live
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Wigmore Hall Live on 8/04/2013
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Schubert - Winterreise
Classical - Released by Onyx Classics on 1/06/2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo