Franz  Schubert

Born January 31, 1791 in Vienna, Austria

Died November 19, 1828

Nationality: Austrian

Period/Style: Classical/Early Romantic

About the composer:

Schubert was interested in music from a very early age.  He was very small in size all of his life.  His special instruments were the violin, piano and organ.  He also sang when he was young; and in fact was a Choirboy at the School of the Imperial and Royal Court Chapel.  Life at the school was very hard because there was no heat in the winter and the food was very bad. He became a teacher after he finished school, but he really hated to teach.  He used to let his students write notes and play games while he wrote music.   When he finally left teaching, he wrote music all day long.  Sometimes he would write 8 pieces in one day!  Mr. Schubert also loved parties and had many of them at his home where all his musical friends would bring their instruments and they would play music all night long.  By the year 1820, he had written over 500 pieces.

About the music:

Erlking (4 min)

Schubert is credited with developing a new form in the early Nineteenth Century which was called the "Art Song".  This form is written for piano and voice and often tells a story through the music. "Erlking" is such a piece. The story takes place as a father and son are riding through a dark stormy night.  The piano accompaniment sounds like the horse's steady, but fast, hooves hitting the ground.  The storm scares the little boy and he keeps calling to his father, but the father tells him everything will be fine.  The problem is that the "Erlking" is a name for death and the Erlking also sings to the little boy telling him to come be with him. When the song is over, the little child has died in his father's arms.

An die musik (2-3 min)        

This piece means “to music” and is like a song of praise to the beauty of music.

Unfinished Symphony (23-27 min)

This piece is different from any other symphony because it has only two movements rather than the usual four. 

Suggested activities

Learn more about Choirboys and what they do.  Are there Choirboys still today?

Find another song by Schubert, one that tells a happy story.