Franz Schubert

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Franz Schubert was a famous Austrian composer. He was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria. Schubert’s music is loved all over the world today, but during his life, he was not very famous. He wrote many songs, symphonies, and piano pieces that are still played today.

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Schubert is considered one of the greatest composers of classical music, but his life was full of struggles. Even though he wrote beautiful music, he did not earn much money, and he faced many personal difficulties. Still, his love for music never stopped.

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Early Life and Family

Franz Schubert came from a big family. He was the twelfth child out of 14 children, but many of his brothers and sisters died when they were young. His father, Franz Theodor Schubert, worked as a schoolteacher, and his mother, Elisabeth, was a housewife. The family was not rich, but they loved music. Schubert’s father played the violin, and his older brother Ignaz played the piano. Schubert learned to play both instruments when he was very young.

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When he was 11 years old, Schubert joined the Vienna Boys' Choir, a famous singing group. He also went to a special school called Stadtkonvikt, where he learned a lot about music. Schubert was a talented student, and his teachers noticed how good he was at writing and playing music. He learned quickly, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already writing his own compositions.

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Young Composer

Franz Schubert started writing music at a very young age. When he was only 17, he had already written his first symphony and his first opera. A symphony is a long piece of music for an orchestra, and an opera is a musical play with singers and musicians. Schubert was inspired by famous composers like Ludwig van Beethoven, whom he admired.

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One of the things that made Schubert special was his ability to write beautiful songs. These songs are called Lieder, which means "songs" in German. Schubert wrote over 600 songs in his life, and many of them were based on poems by famous writers. His songs were full of emotion and beauty, and people loved them.

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Struggles in Life

Even though Schubert was a very talented composer, his life was not easy. His family did not have much money, and Schubert himself was often poor. He worked as a schoolteacher for a few years, just like his father, but he did not enjoy teaching. He wanted to spend all his time writing music. However, it was hard for him to make a living from composing because not many people knew about his music at that time.

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Schubert’s friends helped him during this time. They often supported him by giving him money or a place to live. Schubert’s friends were some of his biggest fans, and they loved to hear him play his new compositions. Sometimes, they would gather in small groups to listen to Schubert’s music. These gatherings were called Schubertiades, and they were special events where Schubert’s music was performed.

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Illness and Hardships

In 1823, Schubert became very sick. He contracted syphilis, a disease that was common at the time. This illness made him weak, but he continued to write music. Schubert was a hard worker, and he wrote some of his best music during the last few years of his life, even though he was suffering.

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Despite his illness and lack of money, Schubert kept composing. He wrote symphonies, piano music, operas, and many more songs. His health got worse in 1828, and in November of that year, he became very ill with typhoid fever. Sadly, he died on November 19, 1828, when he was only 31 years old.

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Famous Works

Franz Schubert’s music became more popular after his death. People started to appreciate the beauty of his compositions, and many of his works were published for the first time after he died. Some of Schubert’s most famous works include:

• Unfinished Symphony: Schubert started this symphony in 1822 but never finished it. It is one of his most famous pieces of music today.

• Winterreise (Winter Journey): This is a song cycle, which is a group of songs that tell a story. Winterreise tells the sad story of a man walking through the snow after losing the love of his life.

• Ave Maria: This is one of Schubert’s most famous songs. It is a beautiful prayer, sung by many people all over the world.

 

Schubert also wrote many piano pieces, including Impromptus, which are short, beautiful pieces of music for the piano. His music is known for its deep emotions, its simplicity, and its beauty. Even though Schubert’s life was difficult, his music has touched the hearts of many people.

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Schubert’s Legacy

Franz Schubert is now considered one of the greatest composers in history. His music is performed by musicians all over the world. He is especially remembered for his songs, which are full of emotion and beauty. Schubert’s influence can be seen in the works of many later composers, such as Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler.

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After Schubert’s death, his music became more and more popular. People began to recognize his talent, and many of his compositions were published. Today, Schubert is remembered as one of the greatest songwriters in the history of classical music. His life was short, but his music will live forever.

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Schubert’s music shows us the power of emotion in art. His compositions are full of feelings like love, sadness, joy, and pain. Even though Schubert never became rich or famous during his lifetime, his music has brought happiness and inspiration to people all over the world.

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A Life of Music and Passion

Franz Schubert was a man who loved music. He did not have an easy life, and he faced many difficulties, but he never gave up on his passion for composing. His story is one of dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Schubert may not have lived a long life, but he left behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire people today.

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Glossary

• Composer - A person who writes music.

• Orchestra - A large group of musicians who play together.

• Symphony - A long piece of music played by an orchestra.

• Piano - A musical instrument with black and white keys.

• Lied - A German word for a song, especially one with a piano.

• Vienna - A city in Austria, known for its music.

• Talent - Natural skill or ability in something.

• Romantic - A style of art and music focused on emotions.

• Manuscript - The original written version of a piece of music or book.

• Legacy - What someone leaves behind for others to remember.