Franz Schubert Research Paper

The 19th century (known as the romantic) is considered one of the most significant period in the world of musical. Democratic ideas and industrial revolution influenced the lives of people especially in the western world. This sudden social change, altered the lives of musicians, composers and luthiers and the world as whole. Great classical composers arose during this time period. Among these prodigious composers was Franz Schubert. Schubert’s works became famous only after his death. Born 1797 in Alsergrund, Vienna, Austria, he was considered as one of the greatest classical composers who created many compositions in one single day. His works were greatly influenced by poets such as Goethe, Friedrich von Schiller, Von Herder e.tc. He

Such as mass, operas etc. One of his most famous works he composed and performed in the mass genre was the “Ave Maria”. This is a popular Roman catholic hymn composed in 1825 in the original key of b flat. It was sung during mass also known as catholic Eucharistic celebration which is a ritual in the catholic church where Eucharist (communion) is sanctified and eaten by church as a way of summit to Christian life. Schubert titled the song “Ellens Gesang III”. After releasing Elllens I and II, the third was most successful and widespread. The III has attractive melodic lines with both secular and religious mood and feel. It is accompanied by a calm harp like piano. Influenced by the works poets, Schubert wrote this song as part of the of the work of Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem “The lady of the lake”. The song has long and until this century been used as a roman catholic prayer commonly known as ‘hail, Mary’ and also best known as the Marian prayer. The text of the song is made up of two parts with the first part based on the biblical reference from Luke 1:28 which tells the encounter of the Archangel Gabriel greeting virgin Mary. The angel tells Mary tells Mary that she would be overcome by the holy spirit and give birth to a son. The next section of the song makes reference from Luke 1:40-42 and recounts St. Elizabeth greeting Mary. Mary who is pregnant has gone to visit her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant of

Among the opera’s he composed was Sakuntala. He composed it in the early 1821 and first performed 1971 in theater in Vienna 1971. Sakuntala is an opera with open dialogue on oriental theme. It is considered as one of the unfinished opera by Schubert in three acts. After completing two act he abandoned the third. This opera was based on a drama by an Indian poet Kalidasa which was written by Schubert’s friend Phillip Neumann. Is still a mystery what led Schubert to take on the Sakuntala, however according to (Newbould), it may be that he simply wanted to build his progress in opera. The complexity of Neumann’s play with it relative inactions is what Is believed to overwhelm Schubert soon after he had begun the work, and for this reason he got far as writing mere sketches of act 2. This in some way or the other can contribute to (Mota-Bull) idea she wrote on her blog that- the third blog was unnecessary and this might be what was in Schubert mind and the reason why abruptly stopped composing. And therefore, to have opera in two acts appears logical idea and good decision. The story of the epic poem talks about king Duschmanta who falls in love with Sakuntala and gives her a ring as proof of love and wish to marry her. Curse befalls Sakuntala after Durwasas insist she refuse to him enough respect ever since she fell in love. The curse makes her unrecognizable by the king except she shows the King the ring. But there