Franciszek Schubert
Living in years 1797-1828, he was the last of the greatest composers of the Vienna School of the Classicist period (1740-1825). Being a native Viennese, he became a restorer of the old tradition of German song (Lieder) and introduced the custom of organizing musical evenings, called Schubertiads. His skills and output are truly impressive: nine symphonies, 11 your turn, seven masses, above 80 smaller pieces for choir, above 30 chamber music works, 450 piano pieces and over 600 German songs – altogether over 960 works! You also have to remember, that the extremely prolific composer died of syphilis at the age of just 31 lat, eighteen months after his idol, Beethovenie.
Schubert was one of the twelve children of a poor teacher. For some time he joined the ranks of the Vienna Boys' Choir, later he worked briefly as a teacher, then he gave himself completely to his true calling. Unfortunately, his genius did not find recognition in the eyes of his contemporaries – most of his life, he had a hard time making ends meet, living off the occasional music recitals and the generosity of his friends and supporters. Perhaps Schubert's most famous work is his Unfinished Symphony, which he wrote in 1822 r., at just the age of 25 lat. Like most of his works, this work was also performed in public only after the composer's death. Schubert never married, leading the life of a recluse.
Strauss and the waltz
The waltz was born in Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century. and immediately captivated the participants of the Congress of Vienna, who, as the story goes, they had spent more hours in the ballrooms than at the council table. They were the first masters of this genre: Father Strauss fan (1804-1849), composer of March Radetzky, and Josef Lanner (1801-1843). They both toured all over Europe, introducing a wide audience to this new musical genre.
Human, who tied this species to his name forever, was Jan Strauss's son (1825-1899), author of about four hundred waltzes. Young Strauss became a musician against his father's wishes (who for many years had to fight to form a position) and founded a competitive orchestra. He is the author of, among others. the unofficial national anthem of Austria, walca Over the beautiful blue Danube (1867 r.), and Tales of the Viennese Wood (1868 r.).
This fun and light style in music has become so popular, that even the more "serious."” composers felt enslaved by it. Operetta became equally fashionable at that time. The young Strauss turned out to be a master of this genre as well, composing such famous pieces, like Bat's Revenge (1874 r.) or the Gypsy Baron (1885 r.). Strauss knew perfectly well, how to sell your music, therefore both in the country, as well as abroad, it enjoyed great popularity.
Other 19th-century composers
One of them was Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), who grew up in Upper Austria and was associated with the St.. Florian. W 1868 r. he received the post of court organist in Vienna. Bruckner is known as a composer of dramatic symphonies and church music.
At the end of the 19th century. Austria still attracted musicians and composers from all over Europe.
Jan Brahms (1833-1897) came to the Austrian capital from Hamburg and spent there 35 lat. He loved Viennese
atmosphere and always stressed, that it had a positive influence on his work, in which he continued the classical and romantic traditions.
Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) he competed with Schubert in composing songs. He created on the principle of "robberies” vena. Born in today's Slovenia, having 15 lat, he moved to Vienna. He died in a psychiatric hospital in Vienna.
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), originally from Germany, he is known mainly for his nine symphonies. In years 1897-1907 he was the director of the Vienna Court Opera.
Richard Strauss (1864-1949), coming from Munich, Salzburg was much more attracted to Vienna than Vienna, but for a time he was the conductor and director of the Staatsoper.
Francis Lehar (1870-1948), originating in Hungary, was a famous operetta composer, author of the famous Merry Widow.