"Who can ever do anything, after Beethoven?" - Franz Schubert

 

Schubert was a huge fan and admirer of Beethoven’s music along with all of Europe at the time. And like his hero Beethoven, who's almost 20 years his senior, Schubert would become a crucial bridging figure between the Classical and Romantic eras in music.

Two of the world’s greatest composers lived in the same small city for thirty-one years. From time to time they literally passed each other in the streets of Vienna, but Schubert was way too shy and in awe of Beethoven to introduce himself.

According to the book "Story-Lives of Great Musicians" by Francis Jameson Rowbotham. In 1822, the young Schubert was introduced to Beethoven.  Schubert had written a set of variations on a French tune for four hands and dedicated it to Beethoven, to whom he wanted to present the score personally. This in itself was nerve-wrecking enough for shy Schubert, .whose courage immediately deserted him.  When Beethoven proceeded to hand him his conversation book and a pencil, Schubert was so nervous and awestruck that his hand shook so uncontrollably that he couldn’t write anything in Beethoven’s conversation book.  When Beethoven wanted to point out something from the composition to his visitor, it was the last straw for poor Schubert, he lost his presence of mind altogether and fled from Beethoven's house.

           Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

When Beethoven was on his death bed in 1827, Schindler wanted to give Beethoven some distractions, so he gave him manuscripts for a number of Schubert's songs. Beethoven was, according to Schindler, astonished at the quantity and quality of what he saw, claiming that "Truly in Schubert there is the divine spark."

Schubert was one of the torchbearers at Beethoven’s funeral.

While Beethoven lived a long celebrated life, Schubert lived most of his life in poverty. Schubert died at the age 31 (only 1 year and a half after Beethoven's death), but he left us nine symphonies and over 600 compositions, he's one of the most prolific composers of history. His most famous pieces included Ave Maria, Serenade and The unfinished Symphony 

Before Schubert died, he asked to be buried next to his idol, Beethoven. Today, you can visit these musical giants at the the Vienna Central Cemetery. 

Schubert 's resting place in Vienna 

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