Schubert: A Musical Wayfarer

The book delves into the life of Schubert, exploring his complex and fascinating private life alongside his musical genius. It sheds light on his early years, his battle with syphilis, and his extraordinary achievement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 736 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

Brilliant, short-lived, incredibly prolific—Schubert is one of the most intriguing figures in music history. While his music attracts a wide audience, much of his private life remains shrouded in mystery, and significant portions of his work have been overlooked.

In this major new biography, Lorraine Byrne Bodley takes a detailed look into Schubert's life, from his early years at the Stadtkonvikt to the harrowing battle with syphilis that led to his death at the age of thirty-one. Drawing on extensive archival research in Vienna and the Czech Republic, and reconsidering the meaning of some of his best-known works, Bodley provides a fuller account than ever before of Schubert's extraordinary achievement and incredible courage. This is a compelling new portrait of one of the most beloved composers of the nineteenth century.

Schubert was born in Vienna in 1797, the youngest of five children. His father was a musician and teacher, and his mother was a singer. From an early age, Schubert showed a remarkable talent for music, and he began composing at the age of five.

His first composition, "Der Erlkönig," was written when he was just eight years old. It was a setting of a poem by Goethe, and it showed a precocious understanding of harmony and melody.

Schubert's education was primarily in music, and he was taught by some of the most prominent musicians of his day. He studied at the Vienna Conservatoire, where he was taught by Franz Schubert, his uncle. Schubert also studied with other notable teachers, including Johann Peter Salomon and Antonio Salieri.

During his time at the Conservatoire, Schubert composed a large number of works, including his first piano sonata, his first string quartet, and his first symphony. He also began to perform in public, and he quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist and composer.

However, Schubert's life was not without its challenges. He struggled with poverty and illness throughout his career, and he was often forced to take on odd jobs to make ends meet. He also suffered from a severe case of syphilis, which eventually led to his death at the age of thirty-one.

Despite these challenges, Schubert's music continued to thrive. His compositions are known for their beauty, emotional depth, and technical mastery, and they have been performed by countless musicians around the world.

One of Schubert's most famous works is his "Winterreise," a cycle of songs that he composed in 1828. The cycle is based on a collection of poems by Wilhelm Müller, and it is considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of lieder.

Schubert's music also has a strong connection to the Romantic movement in music. He was a friend of many of the leading Romantic composers, including Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz, and Richard Wagner. His music was influenced by the Romantic emphasis on emotion, individuality, and the power of nature.

In addition to his music, Schubert was also a talented poet and painter. He wrote many poems and songs that were inspired by his love of nature and his experiences of love and loss. He also painted many beautiful landscapes and portraits, which are now housed in museums around the world.

Despite his short life, Schubert left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. His music is known for its beauty, emotional depth, and technical mastery, and it has been performed by countless musicians around the world. His legacy also includes his contributions to the Romantic movement in music, his friendship with many of the leading Romantic composers, and his talent as a poet and painter.

In conclusion, Schubert is one of the most intriguing figures in music history. His music attracts a wide audience, but much of his private life remains shrouded in mystery. This major new biography provides a detailed look into Schubert's life, from his early years at the Stadtkonvikt to the harrowing battle with syphilis that led to his death at the age of thirty-one. Drawing on extensive archival research in Vienna and the Czech Republic, and reconsidering the meaning of some of his best-known works, Bodley provides a fuller account than ever before of Schubert's extraordinary achievement and incredible courage. This is a compelling new portrait of one of the most beloved composers of the nineteenth century.

Dimension: 235 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300204087