The Life of Schubert [Hardcover]

This searching biography takes a fresh look at this elusive and misunderstood genius.Christopher Gibbs takes a fresh look at this misunderstood composer, particularly the unfolding of his professional career, his relationship to Beethoven, the growth of his reputation and public image and the darker side of drinking, depression and sexual ambiguity.Christopher Gibbs takes a fresh look at this misunderstood composer, particularly the unfolding of his professional career, his relationship to Beethoven, the growth of his reputation and public image and the darker side of drinking, depression and sexual ambiguity.Franz Schubert's tragically short life was lived in one of Europe's most richly musical cities: a Vienna that worshipped Beethoven and where Rossini and Paganini drew crowds. Christopher Gibbs considers how and what Schubert composed, taking a fresh look at this misunderstood composer, particularly the unfolding of his professional career, his relationship to Beethoven, the growth of his reputation and public image and his darker side of drinking, depression and sexual ambiguity. This searching and sympathetic biography questions the customary sentimental clichés and the recent revisionist views concerning this elusive genius.Prologue: Schubert yesterday; 1. Representing Schubert: 'A life devoted to art'; 2. Young Schubert: 'The master in the boy'; 3. Ingenious Schubert: 'The price of song'; 4. Popular Schubert: 'The turning point'; 5. Dark Schubert: 'A black-winged demon of sorrow and melancholy'; 6. Poor Schubert: 'Miserable reality'; 7. Late Schubert: 'Who shall stand beside Beethoven?'; 8. Immortal Schubert: 'Composing invisibly'; Epilogue: Schubert today; Notes; Further reading. ...timely and valuable. Mr. Gibbs, with his solid grounding and balanced view, packs a great deal into a small space and supplies a corrective still sorely needed. --New York Times, June 19, 2000 One of the best concise depictions of the man Schubert. Alan Hirsh, Bol#"