Franz Schubert Research Paper

Franz Schubert was a Romantic Era composer. In fact, this great composer is said to have been one of the last of the classical composers and one of the first of the romantic ones. He composed many works, including the song “The Trout”, as well as the Lieds “Erlkönig” and “Gretchen am Spinnrade”. He was born in Austria on January 31, 1797, to the schoolmaster Franz Theodore Schubert and Elizabeth Vietz. He had three older brothers, Ignaz, Karl and Ferdinand, and one sister, Maria Theresa. Schubert was a lucky child, in that his family was musical and was able to be taught music by both his father, and his older brother Ignaz. In fact, his family even had a home string quartet in which the young Franz Schubert played the viola. Schubert …show more content…
Schubert was lucky enough to win a scholarship in 1808, and received the coveted spot. He was tutored by the imperial court organist, Wenzel Ruzicka, as well as composer Antonio Salieri. In the student orchestra, Schubert played the violin, and was quickly promoted to leader, and was even the conductor when Ruzicka was gone. Unfortunately, as time went on, eventually Schubert’s voice gave way in 1812, and he had to leave college, although he did continue training with Antonio Salieri for three more years. During this time, with family pressure, Schubert began attending another college, a teacher’s training college, and by 1814 he became an assistant at his father’s school. Because of his below average height, Schubert was rejected by the military, and he continued as a schoolmaster for four more years. Franz Schubert wrote a great number of compositions between the years 1813, and 1815, including. Though lacking in maturity, they demonstrate his imagination, style, and pure originality, and each had remarkable variety from the others. Though he had already written his first full length opera (Des Teufels Lustschloss [The Devil’s Palace of Desire]) he now composed five string quartets, and three full-scale masses. One could say that he’d had a busy two …show more content…
A few of Schubert’s friends began offering the song “Erlkonig” on a subscription basis. This alone brought enough money that prints of “Gretchen am Spinnrade” were able to be made, and Opus 12 was reached within eighteen months. Unfortunately, by late 1820, things were looking down again. Schubert found himself with strained friendships, unmet financial needs, and a sickness that was more than likely syphilis. Although the following year was filled with his illness and retirement, Schubert continued to compose. During this sickness, some of his compositions were “Wanderer Fantasy”, “Die Verschwornen”, and yet another opera, titled “Fierrabras”. When Antonio Salieri, Schubert’s former teacher, resigned from his position as imperial musical director Stadtkonvikt, Schubert applied for the position. He was definitely worthy of the position, and had gained support from several influential people, but sadly, he did not get the job. After this, Schubert no longer attempted searching for jobs of this variety, nor did he submit operatic works any longer, though he did continue composing until his death two years