Franz Schubert

1797-1828 · Austrian (Vienna) · Early Romanticism

Known for: Supreme melodist who composed 600+ art songs, the Unfinished Symphony, and sublime chamber music in just 31 years

Schubert composed at astonishing speed - sometimes several songs in a day - and invented the art song (Lied) as a major musical form. His 600+ songs, nine symphonies, and chamber works overflow with melody of heartbreaking beauty.

He was short, plump, near-sighted, and shy. Friends called him 'Little Mushroom.' He never held a permanent post, lived in bohemian poverty, and contracted syphilis. Much of his work was unpublished at his death at 31.

What Franz Schubert would be watching

The “if they lived today” Q&A on this page gives Franz Schubert Lost in Translation (2003) as a favourite film. Their reason: “Two lonely people who cannot quite connect. That is every song I have ever written.” Rankquant scores it above 54% of films, drawn from 1,343 IMDb reviewers individually re-centred rather than averaged raw. The full film & TV rankings are built the same way.

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