A splendid and admirably concise biography of a tragically
short-lived genius.The first biography of Franz Schubert (17971828)
did not appear until nearly 40 years after his death, `an
inconceivable lapse of time for any other leading
nineteenth-century composer,` notes critic and academic Gibbs
(Music/SUNY Buffalo). In the interim, all kinds of myths arose
about Schubert, many persisting to this daythe gist of them being
that Schubert, dismissed by the Viennese cultural elite, lived a
lonely life of wrenching poverty and died in obscurity. Gibbs, in
quiet but elegantly persuasive prose, refutes these notions with
convincing evidence to the contrary, consisting largely of
contemporary music reviews as well as letters by Schubert's many
friends. Most of these friends were well placed in Viennese society
and vigorously championed his music, often effectively. Because of
their efforts, by the time of Schubert's early demise, he was quite
well known and respected in musical circles and was posed for a
brilliant career. Gibbs quotes critics of respected musical
journals holding up Schubert's late large works (i.e., string
quartets and piano sonatas) against those of the recently deceased
Beethoven. He also clears up the much discussed mystery of the lost
`Gastein` Symphony by arguing that it was never lost at all, but is
one and the same as the Ninth (Great) Symphony. Gibbs also gives
strong evidence that Schubert, irrespective of earlier biographers'
accounts, was acutely aware of his gifts and aggressively promoted
his own cause until unexpectedly cut down, probably a result of his
health being damaged by an earlier bout with syphilis. Gibbs also
deals with claims made in the last decade by musicologist Maynard
Solomon and others concerning Schubert's homosexuality: he does not
deny it but notes that the evidence for the speculation is
extremely skimpy. The meager basis of the rumors (gushing
pronouncements of love in letters to and from his male friends) is,
in Gibbss view, simply a misunderstanding of the 19th-century
European male's expression of friendship.This slender volume,
crammed with good research, should be the paradigm for the
contemporary biography. (Kirkus Reviews)
Franz Schubert's tragically short life was spent in one of Europe's
most richly musical cities: a Vienna that worshipped Beethoven,
adored Rossini, and thrilled to Paganini. Schubert, with the help
of supportive friends who were themselves immersed in the arts, won
fame for himself through songs and dances while aspiring to succeed
with larger operas and symphonies. Christopher Gibbs considers how
and what Schubert composed, taking a fresh look at this
misunderstood figure, 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. This searching and sympathetic
biography questions the customary sentimental cliches and the
recent revisionist views concerning this elusive genius.
General
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