Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

HISTORY                         Composers

Makers

Violin History & Timeline

PERFORMERS

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass 

Gamba, etc. 

The Roots of Famous Violinists

TEACHERS

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass   

DEALERS                        

Schubert was a shy and timid boy, and life at the school was often difficult. Heating was poor, and food was scarce. Despite its trying physical conditions, the school provided an environment in which Schubert flourished musically. He became proficient on the violin, and spent much of his time happily composing pieces, or playing in the school orchestra. Schubert’s teachers were astonished by his musical abilities. He was a stunning violinist, and his first composition, Hagars K/age, greatly impressed Salieri, the Schubert’s studies. When Schubert’s talents surpassed the teaching skills of Ruczizka, Schubert was transferred to Salieri’s class. Salieri continued to direct his musical progress, astonished by Schubert’s growing accomplishments.

In 1813 Schubert’s voice cracked. As was the custom, he was required to leave the school and return home. Schubert followed in his father’s footsteps, and after a year of training at the Normal School of St. Anna, he became a teacher. However, Schubert soon found that he detested teaching. A quiet, introverted individual, Schubert did not enjoy directing large classes of students, and paid little attention to the children’s progress. His mind was filled with musical melodies, and he was unable to focus his attention on other distractions. 1815 was the year in which Schubert began producing his great masterpieces. Supported by Spaun, a close friend from the School of the Imperial and Royal Chapel, Schubert and two other friends formed a group called the "Schubertians".  United by a love for Schubert’s music, this group brought encouragement and financial support to the great composer.

Schubert’s pieces have continually been acclaimed for their lyrical, beautiful! melodies. Although he composed prolifically, producing masses, symphonies, sonatas, choral works, and operas, Schubert is most renowned for the songs, or Lieder. that he composed. He produced over six hundred Lieder, crafting many of the world’s most beloved melodies. Schubert’s facility with multiple instruments enabled him to use the piano as a backdrop for the predominant melodies in his pieces. He obscured the lines between music and poetry, and often set the words of poems to a lovely tune. Ave-Marie is among his masterpieces, and it captures the overwhelming depth of expression that

Although many have been overwhelmed by Schubert’s mellifluous music, Schubert himself was in awe of Beethoven’s masterpieces. Beethoven’s music provided him with life long inspiration. Schubert visited Beethoven’s deathbed, honored to be in the presence of such a great composer. On his own deathbed, Schubert demanded that he be buried next to Beethoven. Thus, Schubert lies in the Wahring cemetery, close to the man whose work arouse is own passion or music.