The Life of Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert, born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria, is one of the most
celebrated and influential composers of the early Romantic era. Despite his short
life—he died at the young age of 31—Schubert composed an astonishing amount of
music, including over 600 lieder (art songs), symphonies, string quartets, chamber
works, and sacred music. His works are characterized by their lyrical beauty,
innovative harmonies, and emotional depth, and he is widely regarded as one of the
greatest composers in Western classical music.
Early Life and Musical Education

Franz Schubert was born into a modest family. His father, Franz Theodor Schubert,
was a schoolteacher, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a homemaker. Schubert grew up
in a musically inclined household, and his father encouraged him to pursue music.
He began studying the violin and piano at an early age and showed remarkable
musical aptitude. Schubert’s musical education began in earnest when he entered the
St. Pölten seminary in 1808, where he studied under Antonio Salieri, a renowned
composer of the time. Salieri's instruction was essential to Schubert's early
development, particularly in the fields of harmony and counterpoint.

Schubert's time at the seminary was difficult. He was a shy and introverted
student, often overshadowed by his peers. However, it was during this period that
Schubert composed his first symphony, a significant achievement that indicated his
potential as a composer. Despite his success in the early stages of his education,
Schubert was not inclined toward a career in the clergy, and after completing his
studies at the seminary, he returned to Vienna in 1814.
Life in Vienna and Early Compositions

Schubert’s early life in Vienna was a mixture of poverty and creative flourishing.
He found work as a teacher, but it was clear that his true passion lay in
composition. During the early 1810s, Schubert began composing prolifically, and it
was during this period that many of his songs, symphonies, and chamber works began
to take shape. Despite this prodigious output, Schubert struggled financially. He
was often reliant on the support of his friends, including the composer and music
critic Anselm Hüttenbrenner, and the wealthy aristocrat Johann Vesque von
Püttlingen, who provided him with patronage.

One of Schubert’s most notable early achievements was the composition of his lieder
(art songs), which became his trademark. He wrote over 600 songs, and many of these
works remain some of the most important in the genre. His songs are characterized
by their deeply expressive lyrics, sophisticated melodies, and inventive piano
accompaniments. Schubert’s Lieder cycle Die Winterreise (The Winter’s Journey) and
Die Schöne Müllerin (The Fair Maid of the Mill) are among the most revered works in
the art song tradition.

Although Schubert composed many pieces during his early years in Vienna, he
struggled to gain recognition and success. His compositions were often dismissed by
critics, and he had difficulty securing performances of his works. His music was
often too advanced for the conservative tastes of the time, and his reliance on
personal connections for support meant that his works were not always widely
performed or recognized.
The “Unfinished” Symphony and Later Years

As Schubert’s career progressed, he began to compose more ambitious works,

including symphonies, chamber music, and operas. However, financial struggles and
ill health continued to plague him. He also faced personal hardship, as his family
struggled with poverty, and Schubert's own health began to deteriorate. Schubert's
lifelong struggle with syphilis, which he contracted in his early 20s, had a
significant impact on his health and, ultimately, his life expectancy. His
declining health led to periods of depression and despair, and by the late 1820s,
Schubert’s compositional output began to slow.

Despite these challenges, Schubert’s later years saw some of his most profound and
innovative works. Perhaps the most famous of these is his Symphony No. 8 in B
minor, known as the Unfinished Symphony, which he composed in 1822. This symphony,
though incomplete, is one of Schubert’s most iconic and beloved works. Its haunting
beauty and emotional depth have made it a favorite among orchestras and audiences.
The reasons behind the symphony’s unfinished status remain a topic of speculation,
though it is likely that Schubert’s ill health and personal difficulties
contributed to his inability to complete it.

Another notable work from this period is Schubert’s String Quartet in D minor, D.
810, known as the Death and the Maiden quartet, a dark and intense work filled with
dramatic contrasts and rich emotional depth.
Personal Life and Final Days

Schubert’s personal life was often marked by isolation and melancholy. He never
married and had few close relationships. Many of Schubert’s friendships were based
on mutual respect for his musical talent, but he also had to contend with personal
insecurities, particularly regarding his appearance and social status. Schubert
often struggled with poverty, and it is believed that he spent much of his life in
financial difficulty, relying on the support of his friends and occasional
commissions.

In 1828, Schubert’s health deteriorated significantly. He fell seriously ill and

was forced to stop composing. His final composition was the String Quintet in C
major, one of his greatest masterpieces, written in the spring of 1828. Despite his
poor health, Schubert completed the work with the same passion and precision that
defined much of his music.

Schubert died on November 19, 1828, at the age of 31, likely due to complications
from syphilis. His death was mourned by his friends, but his legacy as a composer
was not fully realized during his lifetime. After his death, Schubert’s music
slowly gained recognition, and today he is regarded as one of the most important
composers of the early Romantic period.
Legacy

Although Franz Schubert did not achieve the fame and recognition he deserved during
his lifetime, his music became immensely influential in the years after his death.
His lieder are some of the most beloved works in the art song genre, and his
symphonies, chamber works, and piano music are essential to the classical
repertoire. Schubert’s music, with its remarkable lyricism, emotional depth, and
innovative use of harmony, has inspired countless composers, including Johannes
Brahms, Robert Schumann, and later Romantic composers.

Today, Franz Schubert is recognized as a central figure in the history of Western

music. His ability to blend the Classical traditions with a new, more expressive
language made him a pivotal figure in the transition to the Romantic era.
Schubert's works, particularly his songs and chamber music, continue to be
performed and admired around the world, and his music remains an essential part of
the concert repertoire.
Conclusion

Franz Schubert’s life, though tragically short, was marked by an extraordinary

level of creativity and musical achievement. Despite facing personal and financial
struggles, Schubert composed a vast and diverse body of work that has had a
profound impact on Western classical music. His legacy lives on in the beauty and
emotional depth of his music, which continues to resonate with audiences and
musicians alike. Schubert’s remarkable ability to convey deep emotion through
melody and harmony, as well as his innovative approach to musical form, has
solidified his place as one of the greatest composers in history.