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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An Evening of Classical: Schubert
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on Sep 30, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Musica Diabolica
Luigi Boccherini, Franz Schubert, Christian Lindberg, Per Egland
Classical - Released by EUROPEAN GRAMOPHONE on Nov 15, 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
SCHUBERT: Symphony no 5
Franz Schubert, Christian Lindberg, Israel NK orchestra
Classical - Released by EUROPEAN GRAMOPHONE on Aug 9, 2022
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The Essential Schubert
Franz Schubert, Christian Lindberg, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Roland Pöntinen
Classical - Released by EUROPEAN GRAMOPHONE on Feb 10, 2023
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The Voice of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Heritage Records on Jul 25, 2014
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Schubert: Four hand piano music
Leo van Doeselaar, Wyneke Jordans
Classical - Released by Globe on Jan 1, 1991
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Schubert: Three Sonatas For Violin And Piano
Classical - Released by Analekta on Jan 1, 1990
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Classical Romance with Franz Schubert
Lounge - Released by PMI Collins Classics on Feb 1, 2019
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Schubert: All Time Greatest Moments
Academy Of St. Christopher Orchestra
Classical - Released by Big Eye on Jan 1, 2008
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Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804 "Rosamunda" / String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden"
Classical - Released by Zeroh on Jul 5, 2017
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Franz Schubert: Piano Works, Vol. 9
Classical - Released by Meridian Records on Jul 15, 2017
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Schubert: Des Teufels Lustschloss, D.84: Overture
ADDA Simfònica, Christian Lindberg, Franz Schubert
Classical - Released by EUROPEAN GRAMOPHONE on May 27, 2020
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Trio Di Trieste Plays Schubert
Dario de Rosa, Renato Zanettovich, Amedeo Baldovino
Chamber Music - Released by Urania Records on Jan 1, 2023
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Franz Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin
Max van Egmond / Penelope Crawford
Classical - Released by Musica Omnia on Jun 1, 2006
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Schubert: Winterreise
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Regis Records on Sep 17, 2002
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21 Schubert Lieder
Classical - Released by Albany Records on Jan 1, 2000
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Schubert: Winterreise
Copenhagen String Quartet, Johan Reuter
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Danacord Records on Nov 25, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118 - Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 - Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 15, D. 760
Classical - Released by PHAEDRA on Aug 19, 2002
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Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 8
Herbert Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden
Symphonies - Released by Berlin Classics on Aug 17, 1999
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Schubert - Symphony No. 8: "Unfinished"
Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra & Janos Kovacs
Classical - Released by Cobra Entertainment LLC. on Dec 1, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo