Franz Schubert Was One Of Historys Greatest Composers

Born in Vienna, the musical epicenter of his time, Franz Schubert was an early Romantic composer recognized for his exceptional talent from a young age. Despite lacking fame and financial success, he dedicated himself to composing music while teaching and performing in private settings. Although he was hailed as a genius by his peers, he passed away before achieving widespread recognition. In the short span of his career, Schubert composed more music than many other composers did in twice the years.

Schubert was born in 1797 to a schoolmaster who, being an amateur musician himself, initiated his musical education at a young age. By the age of 7, he displayed remarkable proficiency in playing the viola and participated in the family string quartet. He received instruction in violin and piano from his father and older brother.

His formal training began when he earned a scholarship to the Imperial seminary, known as Stadtkonvikt, due to his singing ability. There, the renowned composer Antonio Salieri recognized his talent and provided him with training in composition and music theory. Many of Schubert’s early compositions garnered admiration, and he was occasionally given the opportunity to conduct the school orchestra.

After leaving Stadtkonvikt, he taught at his father’s school for a period of time. Even in his teenage years, he had already established a reputation for his compositional genius. By 1815, he was composing prolifically, creating orchestral music, a symphony, church music, and over 100 lieder, which are German art songs.

In the following years, Schubert focused on composition and received support from Johann Vogl, a renowned singer for whom he composed numerous pieces. He gained assistance from friends and elder musicians who admired his talent.

Schubert demonstrated increasing mastery across various musical forms, including opera, symphonies, church music, and especially lieder by 1819. He had his songs published and began earning some income from publishing houses, although the earnings were meager. He attempted to have some operas staged but faced limited success. His longer works were performed by amateur orchestras, and his shorter pieces were often created for informal concerts.

For several years, his health had been deteriorating, and in 1828, Franz Schubert passed away at the young age of 31. The recorded cause of death was typhoid fever, although it is speculated that mercury poisoning from syphilis treatment may have been a factor. Out of nearly 1,000 compositions, Schubert was primarily recognized in his lifetime for his songs. His innovative reputation was built on his use of long melodies, key changes, unconventional harmonies and instrumentation, and remarkable emotional depth. His longer compositions gained recognition years after his death.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME