The Life of Schubert

Front Cover
Cambridge University Press, Apr 20, 2000 - Biography & Autobiography - 211 pages
Franz Schubert's tragically short life was lived in one of Europe's most richly musical cities: a Vienna that worshipped Beethoven and where Rossini and Paganini drew crowds. Christopher Gibbs considers how and what Schubert composed, taking a fresh look at this misunderstood composer, particularly the unfolding of his professional career, his relationship to Beethoven, the growth of his reputation and public image and his darker side of drinking, depression and sexual ambiguity. This searching and sympathetic biography questions the customary sentimental clichés and the recent revisionist views concerning this elusive genius.
 

Contents

Schubert yesterday
1
Representing Schubert A life devoted to art
5
Young Schubert The master in the boy
22
Ingenious Schubert The prince of song
41
Popular Schubert The turning point
60
Dark Schubert A blackwinged demon of sorrow and melancholy
91
Poor Schubert Miserable reality
115
Late Schubert Who shall stand beside Beethoven?
136
Immortal Schubert Composing invisibly
170
Schubert today
186
Notes
190
Further reading
198
Index
201
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