Franz Schubert

creativity composer Schubert

Childhood and years of study. Franz Schubert was born in 1797 in the Vienna suburb of Lichtenthal. His father, a school teacher, came from a peasant family. Mother was the daughter of a mechanic. The family loved music very much and constantly organized musical evenings. His father played the cello, and his brothers played various instruments.

Having discovered in little Franz musical abilities, his father and older brother Ignatz began to teach him to play the violin and piano. Franz had in a wonderful voice. He sang in the church choir, performing difficult solo parts. The father was pleased with his son's success.

When Franz was eleven years old, he was assigned to a konvikt - a training school for church singers. The environment of the educational institution was conducive to the development of the boy’s musical abilities. In the school student orchestra, he played in the first violin group, and sometimes even served as conductor.

Already in those years, Schubert began to compose. His first works were fantasia for piano, a number of songs. The young composer writes a lot, with great passion, often to the detriment of other school activities. The boy's outstanding abilities attracted the attention of the famous court composer Salieri, with whom Schubert studied for a year.

Over time, rapid development musical talent Franz began to cause concern in his father. But no prohibitions could delay the development of the boy’s talent.

Years of creative flourishing. For three years he served as an assistant teacher, teaching children literacy and other elementary subjects. But his attraction to music and his desire to compose is becoming stronger. The father's desire to make his son a teacher with a small but reliable income failed. The young composer firmly decided to devote himself to music and left teaching at school. For several years (from 1817 to 1822) Schubert lived alternately with one or the other of his comrades. Some of them (Spaun and Stadler) were friends of the composer from their convict days. The soul of this circle was Schubert. Vertically challenged, dense, stocky, very short-sighted, Schubert had enormous charm. During meetings, friends got acquainted with fiction, poetry of the past and present.

But sometimes such meetings were devoted exclusively to Schubert’s music; they even received the name “Schubertiad”. On such evenings, the composer did not leave the piano, immediately composing ecosaises, waltzes, landlers and other dances. Many of them remained unrecorded.

The last years of life and creativity. He writes symphonies, piano sonatas, quartets, quintets, trios, masses, operas, a lot of songs and much other music. Having neither funds nor influential patrons, Schubert had almost no opportunity to publish his works.

And yet the Viennese came to know and love Schubert’s music. Like ancient folk songs, passed on from singer to singer, his works gradually gained admirers.

Insecurity and constant failures in life had a serious impact on Schubert's health. At the age of 27, the composer wrote to his friend Schober: “...I feel like an unhappy, insignificant person in the world...” This mood was reflected in the music last period. If earlier Schubert created mainly light, joyful works, then a year before his death he wrote songs, combining them common name « winter journey" In 1828, through the efforts of friends, the only concert of his works during Schubert’s lifetime was organized. The concert was a huge success and brought the composer great joy and hope for the future. The end came unexpectedly. Schubert fell ill with typhus, and in the fall of 1828 Schubert died. The remaining property was valued for pennies, and many works were lost. The famous poet of the time, Grillparzer, who had composed Beethoven’s funeral eulogy a year earlier, wrote on the modest monument to Schubert in the Vienna cemetery: “Death buried here a rich treasure, but even more wonderful hopes.”

Major works.

Over 600 songs

• 9 symphonies (one of them lost)
• 13 overtures for symphony orchestra
• 22 piano sonatas

Several collections of pieces and individual dances for piano

• 8 impromptu
• 6 “musical moments”

“Hungarian Divertissement” (for piano 4 hands)

Trios, quartets, quintets for various compositions

Trusting, frank, incapable of betrayal, sociable, talkative happy mood- who knew him differently?
From the memories of friends

F. Schubert - first great composer-romantic. Poetic love and pure joy of life, despair and coldness of loneliness, longing for an ideal, thirst for wandering and the hopelessness of wandering - all this found an echo in the composer’s work, in his naturally and effortlessly flowing melodies. The emotional openness of the romantic worldview and the spontaneity of expression raised the song genre to unprecedented heights: this previously minor genre became the basis for Schubert art world. In a song melody, the composer could express a whole range of feelings. His inexhaustible melodic gift allowed him to compose several songs a day (more than 600 in total). Song melodies also penetrate into instrumental music, for example, the song “Wanderer” served as material for the piano fantasy of the same name, and “Trout” - for a quintet, etc.

Schubert was born into the family of a school teacher. The boy showed outstanding musical abilities very early and was sent to study in the convict (1808-13). There he sang in the choir, studied music theory under the direction of A. Salieri, played in the student orchestra and conducted it.

In Schubert's family (as in the German burghers in general) music was loved, but tolerated only as a hobby; the profession of a musician was considered insufficiently honorable. The aspiring composer had to follow in his father's footsteps. For several years (1814-18) school work distracted Schubert from creativity, and yet he composes extremely a lot. If in instrumental music one can still see the dependence on the style of the Viennese classics (mainly W.A. Mozart), then in the song genre the composer already at the age of 17 creates works that fully reveal his individuality. The poetry of J. V. Goethe inspired Schubert to create such masterpieces as “Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel”, “The Forest King”, songs from “Wilhelm Meister”, etc. Schubert also wrote many songs based on the words of another classic German literature- F. Schiller.

Wanting to devote himself entirely to music, Schubert left his job at school (this led to a break in relations with his father) and moved to Vienna (1818). Such intermittent sources of livelihood remain as private lessons and the publication of essays. Not being a virtuoso pianist, Schubert could not easily (like F. Chopin or F. Liszt) gain a name for himself in musical world and thus promote the popularity of their music. This was not helped by the composer’s character, his complete immersion in composing music, his modesty and at the same time the highest creative integrity, which did not allow him to make any compromises. But he found understanding and support among his friends. A circle of creative youth is grouped around Schubert, each of whose members must certainly have some kind of artistic talent (What can he do? - this was the question that greeted every newcomer). Participants in the “Schubertiads” became the first listeners, and often co-authors (I. Mayrhofer, I. Zenn, F. Grillparzer) of the brilliant songs of the head of their circle. Conversations and heated debates about art, philosophy, and politics alternated with dances, for which Schubert wrote a lot of music, and often simply improvised it. Minuets, ecausses, polonaises, landlers, polkas, gallops - this is the range of dance genres, but waltzes rise above everything - no longer just dances, but rather lyrical miniatures. Psychologizing dance, turning it into a poetic picture of mood, Schubert anticipates the waltzes of F. Chopin, M. Glinka, P. Tchaikovsky, S. Prokofiev. Circle member, famous singer M. Vogl promoted Schubert's songs on the concert stage and, together with the author, toured the cities of Austria.

Schubert's genius grew out of ancient musical traditions Vienna. The classical school (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven), multinational folklore, in which the influences of the Hungarians, Slavs, Italians were superimposed on the Austro-German basis, and finally, the special passion of the Viennese for dance and home music-making - all this determined the appearance of Schubert’s work.

The heyday of Schubert's work - the 20s. At this time the best are created instrumental works: lyrical-dramatic “Unfinished” symphony (1822) and epic, life-affirming C major (last, Ninth). Both symphonies were unknown for a long time: the C major one was discovered by R. Schumann in 1838, and the “Unfinished” was found only in 1865. Both symphonies influenced composers of the second half of the 19th century, defining different paths of romantic symphonism. Schubert never heard any of his symphonies performed professionally.

There were many difficulties and failures with opera performances. Despite this, Schubert constantly wrote for the theater (about 20 works in total) - operas, singspiels, music for the play “Rosamund” by V. Cesi. He also creates spiritual works (including 2 masses). Schubert wrote music of remarkable depth and impact in chamber genres (22 piano sonatas, 22 quartets, about 40 other ensembles). His impromptu songs (8) and musical moments (6) marked the beginning of the Romantic piano miniature. New things are also emerging in songwriting. 2 vocal cycle to poems by W. Müller - 2 stages life path person.

The first of them is “The Beautiful Miller's Wife” (1823) - a kind of “novel in songs”, covered by a single plot. A young man, full of strength and hope, sets off to find happiness. Spring nature, a cheerfully babbling brook - everything creates a cheerful mood. Confidence soon gives way to a romantic question, the languor of the unknown: Where? But then the stream leads the young man to the mill. Love for the miller's daughter, her happy moments are replaced by anxiety, torment of jealousy and the bitterness of betrayal. In the gently murmuring, soothing streams of the stream, the hero finds peace and consolation.

The second cycle - “Winter Retreat” (1827) - a series of mournful memories of a lonely wanderer about unrequited love, tragic thoughts, only occasionally interspersed with bright dreams. The last song, “The Organ Grinder,” creates the image of a wandering musician, forever and monotonously turning his organ grinder and finding no response or outcome anywhere. This is the personification of the path of Schubert himself, already seriously ill, exhausted by constant poverty, backbreaking work and indifference to his creativity. The composer himself called the songs of “Winter Retreat” “terrible.”

Crown vocal creativity- “Swan Song” - a collection of songs based on the words of various poets, including G. Heine, who turned out to be close to the “late” Schubert, who felt the “split of the world” more acutely and painfully. At the same time, Schubert never, even in last years life, did not isolate himself in mournful tragic moods (“pain sharpens thoughts and tempers feelings,” he wrote in his diary). The figurative and emotional range of Schubert's lyrics is truly limitless - it responds to everything that worries any person, while the sharpness of the contrasts in it is constantly increasing (the tragic monologue “Double” and next to it is the famous “Serenade”). Schubert finds more and more creative impulses in the music of Beethoven, who, in turn, became acquainted with some of the works of his younger contemporary and appreciated them very highly. But modesty and shyness did not allow Schubert to personally meet his idol (one day he turned back at the very door of Beethoven’s house).

The success of the author's first (and only) concert, organized a few months before his death, finally attracted the attention of the musical community. His music, especially songs, begins to quickly spread throughout Europe, finding the shortest path to the hearts of listeners. She has a huge influence on the romantic composers of subsequent generations. Without the discoveries made by Schubert, it is impossible to imagine Schumann, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mahler. He filled the music with the warmth and spontaneity of song lyrics, revealing the inexhaustible spiritual world of man.

K. Zenkin

Schubert's creative life is estimated at only seventeen years. Nevertheless, it is even more difficult to list everything he wrote than to list the works of Mozart, whose creative career was longer. Just like Mozart, Schubert did not bypass any area of ​​musical art. Some of his legacy (mainly operatic and spiritual works) was pushed aside by time itself. But in a song or symphony, in a piano miniature or a chamber ensemble, the best sides of Schubert’s genius, the wonderful spontaneity and ardor of the romantic imagination, lyrical warmth and the quest of the thinker found expression. person XIX century.

In these areas musical creativity Schubert's innovation manifested itself with the greatest boldness and scope. He is the founder of the lyrical instrumental miniature, the romantic symphony - lyrical-dramatic and epic. Schubert is completely unfaithful figurative content in large forms chamber music: V piano sonatas, string quartets. Finally, the true brainchild of Schubert is the song, the creation of which is simply inseparable from his very name.

Schubert's music was formed on Viennese soil, fertilized by the genius of Haydn, Mozart, Gluck, and Beethoven. But Vienna is not only the classics presented by its luminaries, but also a rich life of everyday music. The musical culture of the capital of a multinational empire has long been significantly influenced by its diverse and multilingual population. The crossing and interpenetration of Austrian, Hungarian, German, Slavic folklore Over the centuries, the undiminished influx of Italian melodies led to the formation of a specifically Viennese musical flavor. Lyrical simplicity and lightness, clarity and grace, cheerful temperament and lively dynamics street life, good-natured humor and ease of dance movement left a characteristic imprint on the everyday music of Vienna.

Austrian democracy folk music, the music of Vienna is inspired by the work of Haydn and Mozart; Beethoven was also influenced by it; according to Schubert, he is a child of this culture. For his commitment to her, he even had to listen to reproaches from friends. Schubert's melodies “sometimes sound too domestic, too in Austrian, writes Bauernfeld, “remind folk songs, the somewhat base tone and ugly rhythm of which do not have sufficient grounds to penetrate into poetic song.” To this kind of criticism, Schubert replied: “What do you understand? This is how it is and how it should be!” And indeed, Schubert speaks in the language of genre-everyday music, thinks in its images; from them grow works of high forms of art of the most varied nature. In a broad generalization of the song lyrical intonations that matured in the musical everyday life of the burghers, in the democratic environment of the city and its suburbs - the nationality of Schubert's creativity. The lyrical and dramatic “Unfinished” symphony unfolds on a song and dance basis. The implementation of genre material can be felt both in the epic canvas of the “Big” symphony in C major and in the intimate lyrical miniature or instrumental ensemble.

The element of songfulness permeated all areas of his work. The song's melody is thematic basis Schubert's instrumental works. For example, in the piano fantasy on the theme of the song “Wanderer”, in the piano quintet “Trout”, where the melody of the song of the same name serves as the theme for variations of the finale, in the d-minor quartet, where the song “Death and the Maiden” is introduced. But also in other works not related to the themes of certain songs - in sonatas, in symphonies - the song thematic structure determines the features of the structure, methods of developing the material.

It is natural, therefore, that although the beginning of Schubert’s career as a composer was marked by an extraordinary scope of creative ideas that encouraged him to try in all areas of musical art, first of all he found himself in song. It was in it, ahead of everything else, that the edges of his lyrical talent shone with a wonderful play.

“Among the music not for the theater, not for church, not for concerts, there is a particularly wonderful department - romances and songs for one voice with piano. From the simple, verse form of the song, this genre has developed to whole small single scenes-monologues, allowing for all the passion and depth of spiritual drama.

This type of music was magnificently manifested in Germany, in the genius of Franz Schubert,” wrote A. N. Serov.

Schubert - “the nightingale and the swan of song” (B.V. Asafiev). The song contains his entire creative essence. It is Schubert's song that is a kind of boundary separating the music of romanticism from the music of classicism. Coming from early XIX century, the era of song and romance is a pan-European phenomenon, which “can be called after the greatest master of urban democratic song-romance Schubert - Schubertianism” (B.V. Asafiev). The place of the song in Schubert's work is equivalent to the position of the fugue in Bach or the sonata in Beethoven. According to B.V. Asafiev, Schubert accomplished in the field of song what Beethoven did in the field of symphony. Beethoven summarized the heroic ideas of his era; Schubert was a singer of “simple natural thoughts and deep humanity.” Through the world lyrical feelings reflected in the song, he expresses his attitude towards life, people, and the surrounding reality.

Lyricism is the very essence of Schubert's creative nature. Range lyrical themes in his work is exceptionally broad. The theme of love with all the richness of its poetic shades, sometimes joyful, sometimes sorrowful, is intertwined with the theme of wandering, pilgrimage, loneliness, and the theme of nature, which permeates all romantic art. Nature in Schubert’s work is not just a background against which a certain narrative unfolds or some events take place: it is “humanized”, and the radiation of human emotions, depending on their nature, colors the images of nature, gives them a particular mood and corresponding flavor.

Franz Schubert was born in 1797, on the outskirts of Vienna, in the family of a school teacher.

The boy's musical abilities were revealed too early, and he was already early childhood With the help of his father and older brother, he learned to play the piano and violin.

Thanks to the kind voice of eleven-year-old Franz, he was able to get accepted into a closed music school that served the court church. A five-year stay there gave Schubert the basics of general and musical education. Already at school, Schubert created a lot, and his abilities were noticed by outstanding musicians.

But life in this school was a burden for Schubert due to a half-starved existence and the inability to devote himself entirely to writing music. In 1813, he left school and returned home, but it was impossible to live on his father’s means, and soon Schubert took the position of teacher, his father’s assistant at the school.

With difficulties, after working at the school for three years, he left it, and this led Schubert to break with his father. The father was against his son leaving the service and taking up music, because the profession of a musician at that time did not provide either a proper position in society or material well-being. But until then, Schubert’s talent turned out to be so bright that he could not do anything other than musical creativity.

When he was 16-17 years old, he wrote his first symphony, and then such wonderful songs as “Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel” and “The Forest King” based on Goethe’s text. During his years as a teacher (1814-1817), he wrote a lot of chamber and instrumental music and about three hundred songs.

After breaking up with his father, Schubert moved to Vienna. He lived there in great need, did not have his own corner, but took turns staying with his friends - Viennese poets, artists, musicians, often poor people like himself. His need sometimes reached the point that he could not afford to buy music paper, and he was forced to write down his works on scraps of newspapers, on table menus, etc. But such an existence had little effect on his mood, which was usually cheerful and cheerful.

In Schubert's work, “romance” combines fun, cheerfulness with melancholic-sad moods that sometimes occur. to darkly tragic hopelessness.

It was a time of political reaction, the inhabitants of Vienna tried to forget themselves and turn away from the gloomy mood caused by heavy political oppression, they had a lot of fun, had fun and danced.

A circle of young artists, writers, and musicians grouped around Schubert. During parties and out-of-town walks, he wrote a lot of waltzes, landlers and eco-sesuses. But these “schubertiadies” were not limited to just entertainment. In this circle, issues of socio-political life were passionately discussed, disappointment with the surrounding reality was expressed, protests and discontent against the then reactionary regime were heard, and feelings of anxiety and disappointment were brewing. Along with this, there were also strong optimistic views, a cheerful mood, and faith in the future. Schubert's entire life and creative path was filled with contradictions, which were so characteristic of romantic artists of that era.

With the exception of a minor period when Schubert reconciled with his father and lived with his family, the composer's life was very difficult. In addition to material needs, Schubert was suppressed by his position in society as a musician. His music was not known, it was not understood, and creativity was not encouraged.

Schubert created very quickly and a lot, but during his life almost nothing was published or performed.

Most of his works remained in manuscript and were discovered many years after his death. For example, one of the most popular and beloved symphonic works now - the "unfinished symphony" - was never performed during his lifetime and was first revealed 37 years after Schubert's death, as were many other works. But the need to hear own works he had such a large one that he specially wrote male quartets on spiritual texts, which his brother could perform with his singers in the church where he served as regent.

Franz Schubert is a famous Austrian composer. His life was quite short, he lived only 31 years, from 1797 to 1828. But during this short period...

From Masterweb

15.05.2018 02:00

Franz Schubert is a famous Austrian composer. His life was quite short, he lived only 31 years, from 1797 to 1828. But during this short period he made a huge contribution to the development of the world musical culture. You can verify this by studying the biography and work of Schubert. This outstanding composer is considered one of the most brilliant founders romantic direction V musical art. Having familiarized yourself with the most important events in Schubert's biography, you can better understand his work.

Family

The biography of Franz Schubert begins on January 31, 1797. He was born in poor family in Lichtenthal, a suburb of Vienna. His father, who came from a peasant family, was a school teacher. He was distinguished by his hard work and integrity. He raised his children, instilling in them that work is the basis of existence. Mother was the daughter of a mechanic. There were fourteen children in the family, but nine of them died in infancy.

Schubert's biography summary demonstrates the important role of family in the development of a young musician. She was very musical. Father played the cello, and little Franz’s brothers played others musical instruments. Often musical evenings were held in their house, and sometimes all the amateur musicians they knew would gather at them.

First music lessons

From the short biography of Franz Schubert it is known that his unique musical abilities appeared very early. Having discovered them, his father and older brother Ignatz began classes with him. Ignatz taught him to play the piano, and his father taught him the violin. After some time, the boy became a full-fledged member of the family string quartet, in which he confidently performed the viola part. It soon became clear that Franz needed more professional music studies. Therefore, musical lessons with the gifted boy were entrusted to the regent of the Lichtenthal Church, Michael Holzer. The teacher admired the extraordinary musical abilities of his student. In addition, Franz had a wonderful voice. By the age of eleven, he performed difficult solo parts in the church choir, and also played the violin part, including solo, in the church orchestra. The father was very pleased with his son's success.

Konvikt

When Franz was eleven years old, he took part in a competition to select singers for the imperial royal court singing chapel. Having successfully passed all the tests, Franz Schubert becomes a singer. He is enrolled in Konvikt, a free boarding school for gifted children from low-income families. The younger Schubert now has the opportunity to receive general and musical education for free, which becomes a benefit for his family. The boy lives in a boarding school and comes home only for the holidays.

Studying short biography Schubert, one can understand that the situation that developed in this educational institution, contributed to the development of the musical abilities of a gifted boy. Here Franz daily practices singing, playing the violin and piano, and theoretical disciplines. A student orchestra was organized at the school, in which Schubert played first violin. The conductor of the orchestra, Wenzel Ruzicka, noticing the extraordinary talent of his student, often entrusted him with the duties of conductor. The orchestra performed a wide variety of music. Thus, the future composer met orchestral music various genres. He was especially impressed by the music of the Viennese classics: Mozart's Symphony No. 40, as well as Beethoven's musical masterpieces.

First compositions

While studying in convict, Franz began to compose. Schubert's biography states that he was thirteen years old at the time. He writes music with great passion, often to the detriment of his schoolwork. Among his first compositions are a number of songs and a fantasy for piano. Demonstrating outstanding musical abilities, the boy attracts the attention of the famous court composer Antonio Salieri. He begins classes with Schubert, during which he teaches him counterpoint and composition. Teacher and student are connected not only by musical lessons, but also by warm relationships. These classes continued after Schubert left the convict.

Observing the rapid development of his son's musical talent, his father began to worry about his future. Understanding the hardship of existence for musicians, even the most famous and recognized ones, his father tries to protect Franz from such a fate. He dreamed of seeing his son become a school teacher. As punishment for his excessive passion for music, he forbids his son to be at home on weekends and holidays. However, the bans did not help. Schubert Jr. could not give up music.

Leaving the convict

Having not completed his training in convict, Schubert, at the age of thirteen, decides to leave it. This was facilitated by a number of circumstances, which are described in the biography of F. Schubert. First, a voice mutation that no longer allowed Franz to sing in the choir. Secondly, his excessive passion for music left his interest in other sciences far behind. He was scheduled for a re-examination, but Schubert did not take advantage of this opportunity and left his training in convict.

Franz still had to return to school. In 1813 he entered the regular school of St. Anne, graduated from it and received a certificate of education.

Start of independent life

Schubert's biography tells that for the next four years he works as an assistant school teacher at the school where his father also works. Franz teaches children literacy and other subjects. The wages were extremely low, which forced the young Schubert to constantly seek additional income in the form of private lessons. Thus, he has practically no time left to compose music. But the passion for music does not go away. It's only getting stronger. Franz received enormous help and support from his friends, who organized concerts and useful contacts for him, and supplied him with music paper, which he always lacked.

During this period (1814-1816) his famous songs“The Forest King” and “Margarita at the Spinning Wheel” to the words of Goethe, over 250 songs, singspiels, 3 symphonies and many other works.

The composer's imaginative world

Franz Schubert is a romantic in spirit. He placed the life of the soul and heart at the basis of all existence. His heroes are simple people with a rich inner world. A theme appears in his work social inequality. The composer often draws attention to how unfair society is to an ordinary modest person who does not have material wealth, but is spiritually rich.

Nature in its various states becomes a favorite theme of Schubert’s chamber vocal work.

Meet Vogl

After reading (briefly) the biography of Schubert, the most important event seems to be his acquaintance with the outstanding Viennese opera singer Johann Michael Vogl. It happened in 1817 through the efforts of the composer’s friends. This acquaintance had great value in the life of Franz. In him he acquired a devoted friend and performer of his songs. Subsequently, Vogl played a huge role in the promotion of chamber and vocal creativity young composer.

"Schubertiades"

Over time, a circle of creative youth formed around Franz, consisting of poets, playwrights, artists, and composers. Schubert's biography mentions that meetings were often dedicated to his work. In such cases they were called "Schubertiads". Meetings were held in the home of one of the circle members or in the Vienna Crown coffee shop. All members of the circle were united by an interest in art, passion for music and poetry.

Trip to Hungary

The composer lived in Vienna, rarely leaving it. All the trips he made were related to concerts or teaching. Schubert's biography briefly mentions that during summer period In 1818 and 1824, Schubert lived on the estate of Count Esterhazy Zeliz. The composer was invited there to teach music to the young countesses.

Joint concerts

In 1819, 1823 and 1825, Schubert and Vogl traveled around Upper Austria and toured at the same time. Such joint concerts are a huge success among the public. Vogl strives to introduce listeners to the work of his composer friend, to make his works known and loved outside of Vienna. Gradually, Schubert's fame is growing; people talk about him more and more often not only in professional circles, but also among ordinary listeners.

First editions

Schubert's biography contains facts about the beginning of publications of the young composer's works. In 1921, thanks to the care of F. Schubert’s friends, “The Forest King” was published. After the first edition, other Schubert works began to be published. His music becomes famous not only in Austria, but also far beyond its borders. In 1825 songs, piano works and chamber opuses are beginning to be performed in Russia.

Success or illusion?

Schubert's songs and piano works are gaining great popularity. His works were highly appreciated by Beethoven, the composer's idol. But, along with the fame that Schubert gains thanks to Vogl’s propaganda activities, disappointments remain. The composer's symphonies were never performed, operas and singspiels are practically never staged. To this day, 5 operas and 11 singspiels by Schubert are in oblivion. A similar fate befell many other works that are rarely performed in concerts.

Creative flourishing

In the 20s, Schubert appeared in the song cycles “The Beautiful Miller’s Wife” and “Winter Reise” to the words of W. Müller, chamber ensembles, sonatas for piano, fantasy “The Wanderer” for piano, as well as symphonies – “Unfinished” No. 8 and “ Big" No. 9.

In the spring of 1828, the composer's friends organized a concert of Schubert's works, which took place in the hall of the Society of Music Lovers. The composer used the money received from the concert to purchase the first piano of his life.

Death of the composer

In the autumn of 1828, Schubert unexpectedly became seriously ill. His torment lasted three weeks. On November 19, 18128, Franz Schubert passed away.

Only a year and a half has passed since Schubert took part in the funeral of his idol - the last Viennese classic L. Beethoven. Now he too was buried in this cemetery.

Having become familiar with summary biography of Schubert, one can understand the meaning of the inscription that was carved on his tombstone. It tells that a rich treasure is buried in the grave, but even more wonderful hopes.

Songs are the basis of Schubert's creative heritage

Speaking about the creative heritage of this wonderful composer, we usually always highlight him song genre. Schubert wrote a huge number of songs - about 600. This is no coincidence, since one of the most popular genres of romantic composers is precisely vocal miniature. It was here that Schubert was able to fully reveal the main theme of the romantic movement in art - the rich inner world the hero with his feelings and experiences. The first song masterpieces were created by the young composer at the age of seventeen. Each of Schubert's songs is an inimitable artistic image, born from the fusion of music and poetry. The content of the songs is conveyed not only by the text, but also by the music, which precisely follows it, emphasizing the originality artistic image and creating a special emotional background.

In his chamber vocal work, Schubert used both the texts of the famous poets Schiller and Goethe, and the poetry of his contemporaries, the names of many of whom became known thanks to the composer’s songs. In their poetry they reflected spiritual world, inherent in representatives of the romantic movement in art, which was close and understandable to the young Schubert. During the composer's lifetime, only a few of his songs were published.

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He said: “Never ask for anything! Never and nothing, and especially among those who are stronger than you. They will offer and give everything themselves!”

This quote from the immortal work “The Master and Margarita” characterizes the life of the Austrian composer Franz Schubert, familiar to most from the song “Ave Maria” (“Ellen’s Third Song”).

During his life, he did not strive for fame. Although the Austrian’s works were distributed from all salons in Vienna, Schubert lived extremely meagerly. Once the writer hung his coat on the balcony with the pockets turned inside out. This gesture was addressed to creditors and meant that there was nothing more to take from Schubert. Having known the sweetness of fame only fleetingly, Franz died at the age of 31. But centuries later this musical genius became recognized not only in his homeland, but throughout the world: creative heritage Schubert is immense; he composed about a thousand works: songs, waltzes, sonatas, serenades and other compositions.

Childhood and adolescence

Franz Peter Schubert was born in Austria, near the picturesque city of Vienna. The gifted boy grew up in an ordinary poor family: his father, schoolteacher Franz Theodor, came from a peasant family, and his mother, cook Elisabeth (née Fitz), was the daughter of a repairman from Silesia. In addition to Franz, the couple raised four more children (out of 14 children born, 9 died in infancy).

It is not surprising that the future maestro showed an early love for sheet music, because music was constantly flowing in his house: Schubert the elder loved to play the violin and cello as an amateur, and Franz’s brother was fond of the piano and clavier. Franz Jr. was surrounded by a delightful world of melodies, as the hospitable Schubert family often received guests and organized musical evenings.

Noticing the talent of their son, who at the age of seven played music on the keys without studying notes, the parents sent Franz to the Lichtenthal parochial school, where the boy tried to master playing the organ, and M. Holzer taught young Schubert the vocal art, which he mastered brilliantly.

When the future composer was 11 years old, he was accepted as a choir member into the court chapel located in Vienna, and was also enrolled in the Konvikt boarding school, where he made his best friends. At the educational institution, Schubert zealously learned the basics of music, but mathematics and Latin language were bad for the boy.

It is worth saying that no one doubted the talent of the young Austrian. Wenzel Ruzicka, who taught Franz the bass voice of polyphonic musical composition, once stated:

“I have nothing to teach him! He already knows everything from the Lord God.”

And in 1808, to the delight of his parents, Schubert was accepted into the imperial choir. When the boy was 13 years old, he independently wrote his first serious musical composition, and after 2 years the recognized composer Antonio Salieri began working with the young man, who did not even take any monetary compensation from the young Franz.

Music

When Schubert's sonorous, boyish voice began to break, the young composer was understandably forced to leave Konvikt. Franz's father dreamed that he would enter a teacher's seminary and follow in his footsteps. Schubert could not resist the will of his parent, so after graduation he began working at a school, where he taught the alphabet to junior grades.

However, a man whose life consisted of a passion for music did not like the noble work of teaching. Therefore, between lessons, which aroused nothing but contempt in Franz, he sat down at the table and composed works, and also studied the works of Gluck.

In 1814 he wrote the opera Satan's Pleasure Castle and a mass in F major. And by the age of 20, Schubert had become the author of at least five symphonies, seven sonatas and three hundred songs. Music did not leave Schubert’s thoughts for a minute: the talented composer woke up even in the middle of the night in order to have time to record the melody that sounded in his sleep.

In his free time from work, the Austrian organized musical evenings: acquaintances and close friends appeared in the house of Schubert, who did not leave the piano and often improvised.

In the spring of 1816, Franz tried to get a job as a manager choir chapel, however, his plans were not destined to come true. Soon, thanks to friends, Schubert met the famous Austrian baritone Johann Fogal.

It was this singer of romances who helped Schubert establish himself in life: he performed songs to the accompaniment of Franz in the music salons of Vienna.

But it cannot be said that the Austrian owned keyboard instrument as masterly as, for example, Beethoven. He did not always make the right impression on the listening public, so Fogal received the attention of the audience at his performances.

Franz Schubert composes music in nature

In 1817, Franz became the author of the music for the song “Trout” based on the words of his namesake Christian Schubert. The composer also became famous thanks to the music for the famous ballad of the German writer “The Forest King,” and in the winter of 1818, Franz’s work “Erlafsee” was published by the publishing house, although before Schubert’s fame, the editors constantly found an excuse to refuse the young performer.

It is worth noting that during the years of peak popularity, Franz acquired profitable acquaintances. So, his comrades (writer Bauernfeld, composer Hüttenbrenner, artist Schwind and other friends) helped the musician with money.

When Schubert was finally convinced of his calling, he left his job at the school in 1818. But his father did not like his son’s spontaneous decision, so he deprived his already adult child financial assistance. Because of this, Franz had to ask friends for a place to sleep.

Fortune in the composer's life was very changeable. The opera Alfonso and Estrella, composed by Schober, which Franz considered his success, was rejected. In this regard, Schubert's financial situation worsened. Also in 1822, the composer contracted an illness that undermined his health. In mid-summer, Franz moved to Zeliz, where he settled on the estate of Count Johann Esterhazy. There Schubert taught music lessons to his children.

In 1823, Schubert became an honorary member of the Styrian and Linz Musical Unions. In the same year, the musician composed song cycle“The Beautiful Miller's Wife” to the words of the romantic poet Wilhelm Müller. These songs tell about a young man who went in search of happiness.

But happiness young man was love: when he saw the miller's daughter, Cupid's arrow rushed into his heart. But the beloved drew attention to his rival, a young hunter, so the joyful and sublime feeling the traveler's grief soon turned into desperate grief.

After the tremendous success of “The Beautiful Miller's Wife” in the winter and autumn of 1827, Schubert worked on another cycle called “Winter Reise”. The music written to Müller's words is characterized by pessimism. Franz himself called his brainchild “a wreath of creepy songs.” It is noteworthy that Schubert wrote such gloomy compositions about unrequited love shortly before his own death.

Franz's biography indicates that at times he had to live in dilapidated attics, where, with the light of a burning torch, he composed great works on scraps of greasy paper. The composer was extremely poor, but he did not want to exist on the financial help of friends.

“What will happen to me...” wrote Schubert, “in my old age, perhaps, like Goethe’s harpist, I will have to go from door to door and beg for bread.”

But Franz could not even imagine that he would not grow old. When the musician was on the verge of despair, the goddess of fate smiled at him again: in 1828, Schubert was elected a member of the Vienna Society of Friends of Music, and on March 26, the composer gave his first concert. The performance was triumphant, and the hall was bursting with loud applause. On this day, Franz learned for the first and last time in his life what real success was.

Personal life

In life, the great composer was very timid and shy. Therefore, many of the writer’s circle profited from his gullibility. Financial situation Franz became a stumbling block on the path to happiness because his beloved chose a rich groom.

Schubert's love was called Teresa Gorb. Franz met this person while in the church choir. It is worth noting that the fair-haired girl was not known as a beauty, but, on the contrary, had an ordinary appearance: her pale face was “decorated” by smallpox marks, and her eyelids “flaunted” sparse and white eyelashes.

But it was not Schubert’s appearance that attracted him in choosing a lady of his heart. He was flattered that Teresa listened to music with awe and inspiration, and at these moments her face took on a ruddy appearance and happiness shone in her eyes.

But, since the girl was raised without a father, her mother insisted that she choose the latter between love and money. Therefore, Gorb married a wealthy pastry chef.

Other information about Schubert's personal life is very scarce. According to rumors, the composer was infected with syphilis in 1822 - at that time incurable disease. Based on this, it can be assumed that Franz did not disdain visiting brothels.

Death

In the autumn of 1828, Franz Schubert was tormented by a two-week fever caused by an infectious intestinal disease - typhoid fever. On November 19, at the age of 32, the great composer died.

The Austrian (in accordance with his last wish) was buried at the Wehring cemetery next to the grave of his idol, Beethoven.

• With the proceeds from the triumphal concert, which took place in 1828, Franz Schubert purchased a piano.
• In the fall of 1822, the composer wrote “Symphony No. 8,” which went down in history as the “Unfinished Symphony.” The fact is that Franz first created this work in the form of a sketch, and then in the score. But for some unknown reason, Schubert never finished working on his brainchild. According to rumors, the remaining parts of the manuscript were lost and were kept by friends of the Austrian.

• Some people mistakenly attribute to Schubert the authorship of the title of the impromptu play. But the phrase " Musical moment” was invented by the publisher Leydesdorff.
• Schubert adored Goethe. The musician dreamed of getting to know this better famous writer, however, his dream was not destined to come true.
• Schubert's major C major symphony was found 10 years after his death.

• The asteroid, which was discovered in 1904, was named after Franz's play Rosamund.
• After the composer's death, a mass of unpublished manuscripts remained. For a long time people did not know what Schubert composed.

Discography

Songs (over 600 in total)

• Cycle “The Beautiful Miller's Wife” (1823)
• Cycle "Winter Reise" (1827)
• Collection " Swan Song"(1827-1828, posthumous)
• About 70 songs based on Goethe's texts
• About 50 songs based on Schiller's texts

Symphonies

• First D major (1813)
• Second B major (1815)
• Third D major (1815)
• Fourth C minor “Tragic” (1816)
• Fifth B major (1816)
• Sixth C major (1818)

Quartets (22 in total)

• Quartet B major op. 168 (1814)
• Quartet g minor (1815)
• Quartet a minor op. 29 (1824)
• Quartet in d minor (1824-1826)
• Quartet G major op. 161 (1826)