Schubert died at the age of thirty-one, in obscurity, his genius unrecognised except by a few friends. Today he is acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of all times. His nine symphonies include what is probably the most famous of all symphonies - The Unfinished- and his chamber music, the best loved of all quintets - The Trout. Perhaps his most impressive accomplishment was the composition of over six hundred exquisite songs, including the Schöne Mullerin and Winterreise song cycles, which never cease to delight audiences. In this new biography, the author traces the life and times of Schubert, the development of his music and the political and social climate of Vienne in the years following the Congress of 1814. Documentation of the period, Schubert's own letters and the recollections of his friends help bring Schubert's time alive. The text is completed with a number of facsimile reproductions of Schubert's manuscripts and published editions.

Traces the life and times of Schubert, the development of his music and the political and social climate of his time.

This is a compelling and inspiring look at spiritual beliefs that influenced some of the world's greatest composers, now revised and expanded with eight additional composers.

Franz Schubert died at the age of 31 in obscurity. Today he is acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of all times. In this new biography, the author traces the life and times of Schubert, the development of his music and the political and social climate of Vienna in the years following the Congress of 1814. Documents of the period, his own letters and recollections of friends bring the composer's time alive.

Renowned for melody and harmony, the Austrian composer Franz Schubert represents the foremost bridge between the worlds of Classical and Romantic music. In spite of his short life, Schubert left behind a vast oeuvre of original and inspiring works, including more than 600 secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of piano and chamber music. Although appreciation of his music during his lifetime was limited to a small circle of admirers, his reputation has increased significantly in the decades following his death. Today, Schubert is ranked among the greatest composers of Western music. Delphi’s Great Composers Series offers concise illustrated guides to the life and works of our greatest composers. Analysing the masterworks of each composer, these interactive eBooks include links to popular streaming services, allowing you to listen to the pieces of music you are reading about. Evaluating the masterworks of each composer, you will explore the development of their works, tracing how they changed the course of music history. Whether a classical novice or a cultivated connoisseur, this series offers an intriguing overview of the world’s most famous and iconic compositions. This volume presents Schubert’s masterworks in succinct detail, with informative introductions, accompanying illustrations and bonus texts. (Version 1)* Concise and informative overview of Schubert’s masterworks * Learn about the classical pieces that made Schubert a celebrated composer * Links to popular streaming services (free and paid), allowing you to listen to the masterpieces you’re reading about * Features a special ‘Complete Compositions’ section, with an index of Schubert’s complete works and links to popular streaming services * Includes links to rare compositions * Also features five biographies — explore Schubert's intriguing musical and personal lifePlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting eBooksCONTENTS:The Masterworks Symphony No. 1 in D major, D 82 Symphony No. 3 in D major, D 200 Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, D 485 Three Marches Militaires, Op.51, D 733 Mass No. 5 in A-flat major, D 678 Piano Quintet in A major, D 667, “Trout Quintet” Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D 759, “Unfinished” Fantasie in C major, D 760; “Wanderer Fantasy” Rosamunde, D 797 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D 810, “Death and the Maiden” Symphony No. 9 in C major, D 944 4 Impromptus, Op.90, D 899 6 Moments musicaux, Op.94, D 780 String Quintet in C major, D 956 Fantasia in F minor, D 940 Winterreise, D 911Complete Compositions Index of Schubert’s CompositionsThe Biographies Schubert, Schumann and Franz by George T. Ferris Franz Schubert by Daniel Gregory Mason Schubert by Francis Jameson Rowbotham Franz Schubert by William Henry Hadow Franz Schubert by Harriette BrowerPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of exciting titles

This series of biographies presents the great composers against the background of their times. Each draws on personal letters and recollections, engravings, paintings and, when they exist, photographs, to present a complete picture of the composer's life.

Discover little-known stories from music history—including murder, riots, and heartbreak—in this entertaining tour through the fascinating (and surprising) lives of classical music masters With outrageous anecdotes about everyone from Gioachino Rossini (draft-dodging womanizer) to Johann Sebastian Bach (jailbird) to Richard Wagner (alleged cross-dresser), Secret Lives of Great Composers recounts the seamy, steamy, and gritty history behind the great masters of international music. Here, you’ll learn that Edward Elgar dabbled with explosives; that John Cage was obsessed with fungus; that Berlioz plotted murder; and that Giacomo Puccini stole his church’s organ pipes and sold them as scrap metal so he could buy cigarettes. This is one music history lesson you’ll never forget!

This searching biography takes a fresh look at this elusive and misunderstood genius.

Elgar was England's greatest late romantic composer. His symphonies, the Enigma Variations and oratorios made him the toast of Europe and America during his lifetime. His ceremonial music, such as the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, made him a national institution.

Welcome to The Independent's new ebook series The Great Composers, covering fourteen of the giants of Western classical music. Extracted from Michael Steen's book The Lives and Times of the Great Composers, these concise guides, selected by The Independent's editorial team, explore the lives of composers as diverse as Mozart and Puccini, reaching from Bach to Brahms, set against the social, historical and political forces which affected them, to give a rounded portrait of what it was like to be alive and working as a musician at that time. In his short life of not quite 32 years – the briefest span of any first-rank composer – Schubert composed over 600 songs, showing a talent for word-setting which for many has never been equalled. However, while his songs gained gradual fame while he was alive, many of the works for which he is renowned were never performed in his lifetime, not even his Eighth Symphony, the Unfinished, or the Ninth Symphony, The Great C Major, which are so ubiquitous now. He was not lionised for the String Quintet in C, whose second movement Adagio remains one of the most requested pieces on Desert Island Discs. Nor did his exquisite quartets and piano music receive much recognition at the time. Michael Steen evokes Schubert's youth as the son of an impoverished schoolteacher and his life among a boisterous, arty set of friends living it up in the dazzling gaiety of early 19th-century Vienna. Their evening gatherings for an intoxicating mix of politics, conversation and music became known as Schubertiads. At 25 Schubert contracted syphilis and was to suffer ill health for the rest of his life, falling into the depression that is so heart-rendingly expressed in some of his works. Schubert died only a year and a half after Beethoven, having been a torch-bearer at his funeral. Even so, he remained prodigiously productive and those last years bequeathed some of his finest works.