Franz Peter
Schubert
(January 31, 1797 –
November 19, 1828)
Romantic Era Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was born
in Vienna Austria (1797) to
Franz Theodor Schubert
and Elisabeth Vietz
Schubert. His father was a
parish schoolmaster. Of
the fourteen children born
Parents of Franz Schubert
to his parents, only five
lived beyond infancy.
Their father was a well-known
teacher, and his school was
well attended. He was not
a musician of fame or with
formal training, but he
taught his son some
elements of music.
House were Franz Schubert was born
Franz’s brother Ignaz gave him
piano lessons. At 7, Franz began
receiving lessons from Michael
Holzer, the local church organist
and choirmaster.
Franz also played the viola in the
family string quartet, with
brothers Ferdinand and Ignaz on
violin and his father on the cello.
Schubert first came to the
attention of Antonio Salieri,
then Vienna's leading musical
authority, in 1804, when his
vocal talent was recognized.
In October 1808, (Age 10) he
became a pupil at the
Imperial Seminary through a
choir scholarship. It was here
Schubert was introduced to
the overtures and
symphonies of Mozart.
Meanwhile, his genius began to
show in his compositions.
Schubert was occasionally
permitted to lead the school’s
orchestra, and Salieri decided
to begin training him privately Antonio Salieri 1750-1825
in musical composition and Teacher for Franz Schubert
theory in these years.
In 1814, (age 17) he
entered his father's
school as teacher of
the youngest
students.
Unfortunately,
Schubert didn’t enjoy
teaching, and was
miserable in his new
position. He did,
however, continue to
receive private
lessons in
composition from
Salieri.
Schubert had many friends and
fans of his music. These
people took on a nickname:
“Schubertians”. When the
group gathered together to
listen to and discuss
Schubert’s music they called
the event a “Schubertiade”.
During Schubert's lifetime,
these events were generally
informal, unadvertised
gatherings, held at private
homes.
Modern Schubertiades are
more likely to be formal
affairs, presented as
concerts or festivals devoted
to Schubert's music
A Schubertiade with
Franz Schubert at the piano
In the autumn of 1822, Schubert began writing a work which showed his
maturity and genius as a composer. It is called the "Unfinished
Symphony" in B minor.
Although Schubert completed the first and second movement to this
symphony, he only left sketches of the final movement. We do not
know why it was never finished. It is also remarkable that he didn't
mention it to any of his friends. This symphony is considered one of
Schubert’s masterpieces and is performed frequently.
Another of Schubert’s most famous pieces is
Ava Marie. It has been sung buy opera and
popular singers since it was first written.
• Franz Schubert's Trois marches
militaires (“Three Military
Marches”) are among the many
works for piano four-hands that
the composer produced during
his lifetime. The three pieces
were published in Vienna in 1826.
• The first of these three marches is
far more famous than the others;
in fact, it is one of Schubert's
most famous compositions, and it
is often simply referred to as
“Schubert's Marche Militaire”.
• There have been numerous
arrangements of this march.
Schubert wrote some 600
Lieder (romantic songs),
nine symphonies
(including the famous
"Unfinished Symphony"),
church music, operas and
a large body of chamber
and solo piano music.
Appreciation of his music
during his lifetime was
limited, but interest in
Schubert's work increased
dramatically in the
decades following his
death at the age of 31.
The cause of his death was
officially diagnosed as
typhoid fever.
Schubert was buried next to
Beethoven, whom he had
admired all his life.
Beethoven is said to have examined
Schubert’s music and exclaimed,
"Truly, the spark of divine genius
resides in this Schubert!“
Today, Schubert is admired as one of
the leading composers of the
early Romantic era. He is also one
of the most frequently performed
composers.
Franz Schubert Memorial
