Franz Schubert Quotes

Powerful Franz Schubert for Daily Growth

About Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert (January 31, 1797 – November 19, 1828) was an influential Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Born in Vienna, Schubert's passion for music began at a young age, composing as early as six years old. His family nurtured his talent, providing him with piano lessons and opportunities to perform publicly from a young age. Influenced by the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, Schubert's unique style emerged through a fusion of these classical masters with Romantic ideals. He is particularly renowned for his Lieder (German art songs), symphonies, church music, and operas. Schubert faced financial struggles throughout his life, often relying on the support of friends and patrons. Despite this, he produced an extraordinary amount of music – over 600 secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, and a remarkable number of chamber and piano pieces. Some of his most famous works include "Ave Maria," "The Trout" Quintet, the "Unfinished" Symphony, and "Winterreise." Schubert's brief life was filled with creativity, though it ended tragically at the age of 31 due to typhoid fever. Despite his short lifespan, Schubert's impact on music is immeasurable. His innovative approach to melody, harmony, and form continue to inspire musicians and audiences worldwide. Quotes by Franz Schubert: 1. "Music is a language that speaks to the soul." 2. "I would rather write 100 notes which others understand than 10,000 they do not." 3. "Poets make things appear simple. It is artists who make things appear easy."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I would rather write ten sonatas like Beethoven's Opus 31 than a hundred of my own."

This quote suggests that Schubert valued the quality and impact of Beethoven's work so highly, he saw himself benefiting more from trying to emulate Beethoven's style in ten sonatas (even if not entirely original) than creating a hundred of his own compositions without such influence. Essentially, Schubert believed that learning from Beethoven would improve his own craftsmanship and artistic growth.


"Music is a language that speaks to the heart's core and expresses its innermost feelings."

This quote by Franz Schubert emphasizes the universal, emotional power of music. Music isn't just a collection of notes or melodies, but rather a means of communication that transcends words, touching the very essence of human emotions. It serves as a medium to convey feelings and thoughts that may be too complex or delicate to articulate in spoken language, thus reaching the heart directly. Essentially, Schubert suggests that music has an extraordinary ability to speak to our deepest emotions, making it a powerful tool for human connection and understanding.


"Melody is the essential thing in music, the most necessary faculty, for which all the others are mere accessories."

This quote emphasizes that melodies are fundamental to music, serving as its backbone or core. In other words, a good melody is essential for creating music that resonates with listeners, setting it apart from mere noise. All other musical elements, such as rhythm, harmony, and dynamics, serve to enhance the melody rather than stand alone. In essence, Schubert suggests that a strong melody is the foundation upon which all great music is built.


"The poet's pen was busy, the musician's soul was in turmoil; one created a world of sound, the other a world of words – and we rejoice!"

The quote underscores the profound creativity and emotional intensity found in both poetry and music. Schubert suggests that artists, whether they be poets or musicians, pour their souls into their crafts to create parallel worlds - one of words, and the other of sound. This parallelism, born from intense creative endeavors, offers a source of collective joy and inspiration for us all.


"One must make music with the heart; otherwise, it will not reach the listener."

Schubert's quote emphasizes that genuine emotion is essential when creating music. He suggests that for music to resonate deeply with listeners, it should be born out of a sincere and passionate connection from its creator. In essence, he encourages musicians to express their heartfelt feelings through their artistry, so the music can touch others in an authentic way.


One bites into the brass mouthpiece of his wooden cudgel, and the other blows his cheeks out on a French horn. Do you call that Art?

- Franz Schubert

Art, Other, Mouthpiece, Horn

I never force myself to be devout except when I feel so inspired, and never compose hymns of prayers unless I feel within me real and true devotion.

- Franz Schubert

Myself, Feel, Within, Devout

Nobody understands another's sorrow, and nobody another's joy.

- Franz Schubert

Sad, Joy, Another, Understands

The manager is to be blamed who distributes parts to his players which they are unable to act.

- Franz Schubert

Unable, Which, His, Blamed

Our castle is not imposing, but is well built, and surrounded by a very fine garden. I live in the bailiff's house.

- Franz Schubert

Surrounded, Very, Imposing, Garden

When I wished to sing of love, it turned to sorrow. And when I wished to sing of sorrow, it was transformed for me into love.

- Franz Schubert

Love, Turned, Wished, Transformed

There are two contrary impulses which govern this man's brain-the one sane, and the other eccentric. They alternate at regular intervals.

- Franz Schubert

Other, Govern, Which, Eccentric

Easy mind, light heart. A mind that is too easy hides a heart that is too heavy.

- Franz Schubert

Light, Mind, Too, Hides

Why should the composer be more guilty than the poet who warms to fantasy by a strange flame, making an idea that inspires him the subject of his own very different treatment?

- Franz Schubert

Making, Very, Treatment, Flame

Above all things, I must not get angry. If I do get angry I knock all the teeth out of the mouth of the poor wretch who has angered me.

- Franz Schubert

Knock, Wretch, Angered, All Things

Every night when I go to bed, I hope that I may never wake again, and every morning renews my grief.

- Franz Schubert

Night, Bed, May, Every Night

No one feels another's grief, no one understands another's joy. People imagine they can reach one another. In reality they only pass each other by.

- Franz Schubert

Other, Feels, Each One, Grief

I am composing like a god, as if it simply had to be done as it has been done.

- Franz Schubert

I Am, Like, Been, Composing

There are eight girls in the house in which I am living, and practically all of them are good looking. You can realize that I am kept busy.

- Franz Schubert

Living, Which, Practically, Realize

You believe happiness to be derived from the place in which once you have been happy, but in truth it is centered in ourselves.

- Franz Schubert

Been, Centered, Which, Derived

If only your pure and clean mind could touch me, dear Haydn, nobody has a greater reverence for you than I have.

- Franz Schubert

Mind, Reverence, Could, Greater

The greatest misfortune of the wise man and the greatest unhappiness of the fool are based upon convention.

- Franz Schubert

Wise, Convention, Based, Wise Man

A man endures misfortune without complaint.

- Franz Schubert

Man, Misfortune, Complaint, Endures

Approval or blame will follow in the world to come.

- Franz Schubert

World, Will, Approval, Blame

Why does God endow us with compassion?

- Franz Schubert

Compassion, Why, Does, Endow

The world resembles a stage on which every man is playing a part.

- Franz Schubert

World, Stage, Which, Resembles

I try to decorate my imagination as much as I can.

- Franz Schubert

Imagination, Try, Much, Decorate

Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.

- Franz Schubert

Marriage, Happier, His, Friend

The moment is supreme.

- Franz Schubert

Moment, Supreme

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