Musician Spotlight: Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer, covering the late Classical and early Romantic eras of music. Even though his life was fairly short, like Mozart, Franz Schubert managed to rack up an impressive collection of work. It seems like many of those composers of the time, were racing to offload as much of their musical talent as they could within the time they had.

Who was Franz Schubert?

Schubert was born on 31st January 1797 in Himmelpfortgrund, which is now a part of Alsergrund. Again, like many other composers, Schubert showed a talent for music from a very early age. He had the ability to learn violin and piano thanks to the help of his father and older brother.

However, with this, he soon exceeded their abilities and at the age of eleven, became familiar with the orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Three legends that would provide him with the knowledge to develop his own compositions.

He would also go on to get lessons outside of the family from a man called Michael Holzer. Holzer was an organist and choirmaster at the local parish church in Lichtenta. All this knowledge that he learned from a young age would certainly be influential in his future career.

What genre did Schubert cover?

Schubert covered a variety of genres when it comes to his music within the Classical and Romantic eras. He would create seven complete symphonies as well as operas, sacred music, and a large amount of piano and chamber music.

Again, his influences would come largely from previous composers of the Classical era. Even though he only created work that at the time was enjoyed by few admirers in Vienna, his genre of work would become more popular over time. This is something that tends to be common for many composers of that time.

Major accomplishments

Considered as being amongst the greatest composers of Westen classical music, Schubert had more than six hundred secular vocal works, amongst many other pieces. Some of his most notable works would be “Erlkönig” (D. 328), the ”Great” Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, and the Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 (Trout Quintet). Take a listen to this popular work of his, “Ave Maria”:

Interestingly, he became a schoolteacher in music, even though he continued to compose music alongside this. It’s unfortunate that he had to pass so early on when he only managed to give one concert of his works in March of 1828. The concert was a success both in feedback and financially. It’s a shame he couldn’t have provided more in his time but sadly that was not to be the case.

What instruments did Schubert use?

Schubert certainly had the gift of music and as such had a talent for playing multiple instruments. These were the piano, the violin , and the organ. He was also an excellent singer too and it seems to be the theme of many famous composers, that they have a knack for learning a variety of instruments from a young age.

He died eight months later at the age of 31. However, even though he lived a short life, it was one that was filled with plenty of successful work that is now appreciated so much more in modern-day times.