Thirty-one years is a tragically early age to die. It is a particularly poignant event if that early death has to do with one of the world’s greatest composers. Well that was the case with the prolific and supremely talented Austrian composer Franz Schubert. He was a gifted musician that was well ahead of his time and one who still brings bliss to not just classical music enthusiasts, but to music fans everywhere.
He was an early study. He began his formal training at age five in 1802. By the time he was seven he came to the attention of Antonio Salieri for his vocal talent. Yes, the same Salieri who was driven nearly mad by Mozart’s talent. From here, he began writing critically acclaimed compositions by the time he was sixteen.
Schubert was no flash in the pan. His contributions to music extended throughout his life. At age twenty-three he had already composed two operas, ‘Die Zwillingsbruder’ and ‘Die Zauberharfe’. And it was not only in opera that he was gifted. One only need to look at his symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, and lieder.
The magnificent ‘Symphony No. 8 in B Minor’ is one of Schubert’s most famous pieces. Sometimes people refer to this work as the ‘Unfinished Symphony.’ This symphony is shrouded in mystery. Interestingly, the piece has only two movements. It was never completed, even though he lived six more years after finishing the first two parts. Regardless of what happened, it is still seen today as a great symphony.
Another widely recognized piece is ‘Death and the Maiden’. In Germany this string quartet is known as ‘Der Tod und das Madchen’. It is a pulsating work in four movements. In fact, it has survived the test of time. A Hollywood movie was named after this piece.
Like many an opera, this Austrian native’s story ends in tragedy. By the late 1820s he found himself victimized by failing health, an absolute shame if you consider he was only in his late twenties. He also knew music beyond his own creations. Near the time of his death, he asked to hear a performance of Beethoven’s ‘String Quartet No. 14 in C Sharp Minor’. Beethoven appreciated his work as well. Beethoven was crushed upon hearing of his demise.
Franz Schubert died in 1828, only thirty-one years of age. A noted music critic has stated that Schubert’s body of work has been central to people’s lives. No small praise for a person who did not live to see his thirty-second birthday.
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