Franz Peter Schubert was born on January 31, 1797, in Vienna, Austria. He is widely recognized as one of the most significant and innovative composers of the Western classical tradition. Over the course of his short life—he died at just 31—he composed a staggering amount of music, including some 600 vocal works, seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music, and a significant body of chamber and solo piano music.

Schubert was the twelfth child born to Franz Theodor Schubert and Elisabeth Vietz. His father was a schoolmaster, and his mother, before her marriage, was in domestic service. Schubert’s parents recognized his talent at a young age and sought to cultivate it. The young Schubert learned the basics of music theory and violin playing from his father and elder brother Ignaz, respectively. By the age of seven, he was receiving lessons in piano, violin, and organ from his brother, and a local church organist Michael Holzer.

His talent was evident from an early age. At the age of eleven, Schubert was accepted into the Imperial Seminary, a boarding school for boys who were members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, where he received a solid general education and advanced musical training. His experience in the school’s choir and orchestra was vital in shaping his musical skills.

Schubert’s compositional talent began to reveal itself early, and by his late teenage years, he had composed a number of pieces for piano and strings. His first published work, a set of piano pieces, appeared when he was just 13.

Schubert’s adolescence was marked by the influence of the great composer Franz Joseph Haydn and the poetic works of Goethe, Schiller, and Shakespeare, all of which deeply affected his compositions. Despite his talent and output, however, Schubert struggled to gain recognition during his lifetime.

After leaving the Seminary, Schubert became a schoolteacher, a position he held for a few years but ultimately resigned from due to his commitment to composing. He joined a close-knit circle of artists and intellectuals in Vienna, often called “Schubert’s Circle,” that gave private performances of his songs or “Lieder.”

In 1816, Schubert composed his Symphony No. 5, showcasing the influence of Haydn and Mozart. In the following year, he composed the operetta “Die Zwillingsbrüder,” which premiered successfully. However, many of his other larger-scale works were rarely performed during his lifetime. His most celebrated compositions from this time were his songs, many of which were set to poems by the great German poets.

Schubert’s later life was fraught with personal and financial struggles. Despite his lack of public recognition, he remained a prolific composer until his death. His “Winterreise” song cycle, composed in 1827, is often considered one of his greatest works, marked by its dark, introspective qualities.

In the last year of his life, Schubert’s music began to gain some recognition, with some of his works being performed in public concerts. Unfortunately, his health declined rapidly during this period. Schubert died in Vienna on November 19, 1828, likely from complications of syphilis, a diagnosis he had received in 1822.

After his death, some of Schubert’s friends and family worked to ensure his legacy. His music was championed by composers such as Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, and Franz Liszt. It was not until the later 19th century, however, that his work began to receive the widespread recognition it deserved. Today, Schubert’s music, especially his Lieder and chamber music, is considered some of the most profound and innovative of the 19th century.

Schubert’s contribution to music is immense. He bridged the worlds of Classical and Romantic music, and his deep emotional expressiveness, profound understanding of the human condition, and innovative approach to form and harmony have solidified his place as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Despite his short life, he left behind a body of work that continues to inspire and move audiences and musicians alike.