Schubert's childhood
Schubert was born in Vienna, Austria, on January 31, 1797, as the fourth son of Franz Theodor Schubert. Franz received instruction in the violin from his father, his older brother Ignaz, and Michael Holzer, the organist at the Liechtenthal parish church.
His father was a schoolmaster. His mother, Elizabeth Vietz was a domestic servant in Vienna. Schubert was a shy youth, and he spent most of his time composing by himself. Schubert joined the choir when he was eleven, and he left the choir when he was fifteen. His voice changed, but he continued to study seminary. Antonio Salieri, the emperor's music director, heard about Schubert's talents and took him in as a student.
Schubert was first made evident in his work Gretchen am Spinnrade, inspired by his reading of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749–1832) Faust. His first Mass and his first symphony appeared about this time and showed the influence of Haydn. Schubert set five other Goethe songs to music that year. By the end of 1814 Schubert was an assistant at his father's school and had begun to make the acquaintance of numerous poets, lawyers, singers, and actors, who soon would be the principal performers of his works at private concerts in their homes or in those of their wealthier friends.
His father was a schoolmaster. His mother, Elizabeth Vietz was a domestic servant in Vienna. Schubert was a shy youth, and he spent most of his time composing by himself. Schubert joined the choir when he was eleven, and he left the choir when he was fifteen. His voice changed, but he continued to study seminary. Antonio Salieri, the emperor's music director, heard about Schubert's talents and took him in as a student.
Schubert was first made evident in his work Gretchen am Spinnrade, inspired by his reading of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749–1832) Faust. His first Mass and his first symphony appeared about this time and showed the influence of Haydn. Schubert set five other Goethe songs to music that year. By the end of 1814 Schubert was an assistant at his father's school and had begun to make the acquaintance of numerous poets, lawyers, singers, and actors, who soon would be the principal performers of his works at private concerts in their homes or in those of their wealthier friends.