One of the great composers of the Romantic era, Franz Schubert, wrote an extraordinary amount of music - more than 600 songs, nine Symphonies, Dozens of piano pieces, Operas and many more - in a remarkably brief period of time. He often would work all day, composing furiously from morning until night.

 

Schubert died tragically at the age of 29, and like far too many artists, received almost no recognition for his work during his lifetime. His symphonies, especially the unfinished eighth, are very popular and often performed today. His songs are considered possibly the best ever written, and form the basis of the classical vocal repertoire.