Franz Schubert

The Profile

Franz Schubert (1797–1828) was an Austrian composer whose prolific output bridged the Classical and Romantic eras. He wrote more than 600 Lieder alongside landmark chamber, piano and orchestral works before his death at 31.

Celebrated for Lieder (texts by poets including Goethe and Heine), for major chamber works such as the String Quartet No. 14 'Death and the Maiden' and the String Quintet in C major, D 956, and for symphonies including No. 8 'Unfinished' and No. 9 'The Great'. The 'Wanderer' Fantasy, D 760, shows Beethoven’s influence noted by critics. The Great C-major Symphony’s manuscript was found by Robert Schumann in 1839 and premiered by Felix Mendelssohn. Schubert also wrote the Sonata in A minor for arpeggione and piano (D 821), an instrument now obsolete and often performed on cello.

Seven reviews celebrate Schubert’s emotional range: from the ‘Wanderer’ Fantasy’s fire to the intimate Impromptus, from the ‘Death and the Maiden’ quartet’s tension to the ‘Great’ C-major Symphony’s sweep. Writers praise his Lieder (even when sung by cello), note Beethoven’s shadow and Schumann’s ‘divine length,’ and highlight the late String Quintet’s shattering Adagio. Performers mentioned include Mischa Maisky, András Schiff, Murray Perahia, Yuuko Shiokawa, and the Hagen & Melos quartets.