Franz Schubert (1797-1828) wrote chamber music, symphonic works, solo piano pieces and, most significantly, German art songs, or lieder. Schubert was a Viennese composer on the cusp of the Classical and Romantic eras. Though he died at age 31, Schubert wrote more than 600 songs, setting the words of master German poets to music with unrivaled skill. His songs elevated lieder from a marginal to a respected art form. In his lifetime, however, Schubert had difficulty supporting himself financially through his music, and often relied on friends and family for support.

Schubert’s accomplishments in writing lieder are perhaps best described by his close, lifelong friend Joseph von Spaun: “In this category he stands unexcelled, even unapproached … Every one of his songs is in reality a poem on the poem he set to music … Who among those who had the good fortune to hear some of his greatest songs does not remember how this music made a long familiar poem new for him, how it was suddenly revealed to him and penetrated to his very depth.”