Nationality:
Austrian
Born:
Vienna,
January
31st
1797
Died:
Vienna,
November
19th
1828
Type
of music: Songs, piano
music, Symphonies, String quartets
Main
works: 7
complete symphonies, over 600 songs (including Ave Maria)
Schubert
composed in all the same genres as his contemporaries, but is most
well remembered for his vast output of songs and chamber music, and
at the time was celebrated for it, particularly in Austria.
A
great number of Schubert's songs were written to text settings of
poetry by the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. An example of an early
song by Schubert is 'Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel' which is based
on 'Faust' by Goethe. By the time Schubert was 20, as well as having
written a great number of songs, he had written his 4th an
5th Symphonies too.
In
1817, Schubert was dedicating most of his time to composition now,
instead of teaching as well and continued composing songs and also
composed 7 piano sonatas in the same year.
Schubert
was at the centre of a renowned and exclusive social scene in Vienna,
consisting of musicians, writers and poets. They would gather
together for salons to hear poetry readings and most importantly,
Schubert's music. These salons were known as 'Schubertiads'.
Schubert
continued composing songs right until the end of his life.
'Standchen', the famous serenade was composed in the last months of
his life. In the September of 1828 he also composed his string
quarter in C major.
“The
art of music has buried here a rich possession, but still fairer
hopes” - Epitaph
Spotify
link for the Classical Cafe playlist:
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