Franz Schubert: a Biography

Description

Clarity of outline, conciseness, and formal beauty are excellent things in musical works, but an exquisite fancy, a noble imagination, and a lofty poetic spirit are of infinitely greater account; and no one ever possessed these inestimable gifts in greater measure than Franz Schubert. “With faith man steps forth into the world. Faith is far ahead of understanding and knowledge; for to understand anything, I must first of all believe something. Faith is the higher basis on which weak understanding rears its first columns of proof; reason is nothing but faith analysed.” – Franz Schubert FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE https://adistantmirror.com/franz-schubert-biography/ This new edition of Henry Frost’s 1892 biography of Franz Schubert has been edited and revised. The original references to pieces by Opus number have been replaced with the more commonly used D numbers. Many illustrations of places and people have been added throughout the text, and a complete catalog of Schubert’s works has been included. Contents 1 Introduction and overview by William Henry Hadow. From the eleventh edition of The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911). 2 — Schubert’s unique position among composers. — His birth and parentage. — Early instruction in music, and evidence of extraordinary talent. — Admission to the Imperial Chapel and Stadtconvict. — School experiences and first compositions. — Salieri. — Symphony No. 1 in D. — He decides to leave the Convict. 3 — Schubert's experience as a school teacher. — Friendship with Mayrhofer. — Works from 1814; Des Teufels Lustschloss , Mass in F, etc. — Extraordinary productiveness in 1815. — Operas, symphonies, masses, and songs. — Characteristics of Schubert’s Lieder. — Diary kept in 1816. — Der Erlkönig . — Cantatas and symphonies. — He applies for a position. — Franz von Schober. — He leaves his father’s school. 4 — Johann Michael Vogl. — Josef Huttenbrenner. — Piano sonatas. — Overtures in Italian style. — He becomes music teacher to the Esterhazy family. — His residence with Mayrhofer. — Excursion in upper Austria. — Rossini. — Goethe. — His first commissions for the stage. — Die Zwillingsbruder . — Die Zauberharfe . — Contemporary criticism. — The oratorio Lazarus . — The Fantasia in C. 5 — The first publications. — Enthusiasm of his friends. — Schubertiaden. — The symphony in E. — Schubert and Beethoven. — Alfonso and Estrella ; performance at Weimar. — The mass in A flat. — The unfinished symphony in B minor. — Schubert and Weber. — Rosamunde . — Fierabras . — Die Verschwornen , or Der hauslicne Krieg . — Die schone Mullerin . — Publications in 1823. 6 — Schubert’s temporary depression. — Diary and letters. — Second visit to Zelesz. — Love for Caroline Esterhazy. — Compositions; the duet sonata in C. — Travels in Steyr. — Restored cheerfulness. — Efforts to gain employment. — Schindler’s singular story. — Negotiations with foreign publishers. — Present from the Musikfreunde. — Beethoven’s funeral. — Visit to the Pachlers at Gratz. — Failing health. — Rochlitz and Der Erste Ton 7 — Great productiveness in 1828. — Symphony in C. — Mass in E flat. — Schwanengesang . — Last sonatas. — Disappointments. — His last illness and death. 8 — Posthumous honours. — Personal qualities. — Schubert’s position in music. — General survey of works Review: Short story on Schubert's unfortunate short life - This is a reprint of a 120-year-old book. However, it is not merely a photocopy of old printed pages from the book. The publisher probably has re-typed the text into the computer. Illustrations are in monochrome, but they are clear. Illustration in color is not possible as the book is printed on non-glossy slightly-tinted paper; due to that, the text is easy on the eyes. In almost all chapters, the author highlights the financial troubles of Schubert's, his friends who helped him many times in many ways, and his inability to conduct his business dealings. The beauty and value of his compositions are not undervalued. Old English is more difficult to understand, and some finer points are lost to me, but in general, the writing does not bore. I venture to make a guess that the publisher may have attempted to rewrite some of the sentences. I wish the publisher would make one more adjustment in the text, when the author wrote that Schubert's annual income never exceeded "£100" in any year. It would be nice to adjust that value to modern day amount, £5000 or £10000 annually, maybe? I have no idea, but the point is probably that Schubert could not make his ends meet. He either had to borrow, or his friends picked up his tabs. It is a good book. I recommend it since the desertcart price is also attractive. Review: Four Stars - Time of delivery and book condition was great. However the book didn't fill my expectations. Thanks.