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Franz Schubert

In 1816, failing to obtain appointment as head of a new music-school at Laibach, for a few months he shared the lodgings of Von Schober, a well-to-do university-student, and gradually came into contact with other companions and well-wishers, some of whom might have become powerful patrons had he been less shy and less inclined to Bohemian ways. In 1816 he won the notice of J. M. Vogl (d. 1840), an eminent baritone, who became his firm friend and advocate. In the summer of 1818 he taught at the Hungarian country-place of Count Johann Esterhazy. From 1819 for two years he lived in poor lodgings with the sombre poet Mayrhofer, varied with a summer trip or two with Vogl or Von Schober. From 1820 he began to have dramatic commissions, but with little public success, and to make more friends through the efforts of the Sonnleithner family, as well as to see some songs actually published. In 1822 he met Weber and Beethoven for the first time, though without important result, owing to his timidity and inexperience. He was offered the post of court-organist, but declined it, probably because of his distaste for regularity. In 1824 he taught again at the Esterhazy home, and fell in love with the second daughter—quite hopelessly, of course. In 1825, after a happy season of creation at Vienna, he and Vogl had a fine trip to the Tyrol. These trips did much to counteract the strain of the winters, with their incessant production, excitement and reckless joviality—habits which again and again brought on severe illnesses. In 1826 he sought without success to be made second choirmaster at the court, as well as to serve as conductor at the court theatre. In 1827 Beethoven, during his last illness, was astonished to learn something of Schubert's works, which he had not appreciated, and the latter saw him twice and was one of the mourners at his funeral. In the summer he had a fine trip to Gratz. In the spring of 1828 occurred the only public concert of his works, which brought him applause and some money—the latter soon gone. His health now gave way. He became depressed and was subject to recurrent mental delusions. Late in 1828 he died of exhaustion. He was buried close to Beethoven, according to his urgent desire, executed with unselfish fidelity by his father and brother. Among his meagre effects, estimated at perhaps $15, was "a pile of old music, valued at 10 florins" (about $1.50), which doubtless contained many scores through which later his fame was to be established.

In personal appearance he was short, thick-set and round-shouldered—in no sense distinguished. His face was round and chubby, his complexion pasty (owing to poor food), his hair thick and black, his eyes keen and alert, but excessively near-sighted. In manners he was as shy and awkward as a