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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Traces II
Techno - Released by Black Swan Records on Dec 12, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classically Beautiful Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by Only Between Us Records on Mar 24, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Touch Of Class With Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by Only Between Us Records on Jan 20, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert: Sonatas
Classical - Released by Only Between Us Records on Dec 16, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by Piros - Send on Dec 3, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Musica Clasica - Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by Open Records on Jan 9, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of Schubert, Vol. 1 (Remastered)
Miscellaneous - Released by Classic Records Ltd. on Apr 27, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert in love (Electronic Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Jan 15, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classical Rework (Electronic Version)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, Nologo
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Nov 22, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert Through the Ages
Classical - Released by Unchained Melodie on Feb 28, 2011
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Franz Schubert - Piano Classics
Classical - Released by Unchained Melodie on Nov 4, 2010
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Trois Marches Militaires (Electronic Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Jan 26, 2023
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Joyas de la Música, Vol. 28
The Hamburg Symphony Orquestra
Classical - Released by Star Evens Digital on Mar 21, 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Impromptu (Electronic Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Apr 30, 2023
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Schubert - The Genius Collection
Classical - Released by Unchained Melodie on Feb 28, 2011
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To be in Love (Electronic Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Jan 22, 2022
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Colorful Life (Electronic Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Jun 21, 2022
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Electrolux (Electro Version)
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Jun 28, 2022
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Classical dreams (Electronic Version)
Nologo, Pyotr Illitch Tchaïkovski, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert
Electronic - Released by Electro Roma on Apr 26, 2024
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Guitar Madness (GTR Version)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Electro Roma on Dec 17, 2021
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Dogma (GTR Version)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Electro Roma on Dec 18, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo