Schubert's letters: Snooping in the mail

Last Saturday morning was my first day of Spring Break! I woke up late (yes, 9 am is late) and finally finished reading The Letters of Franz Schubert and other Writings.  As I read these wonderful letters, I listened to his Moments Musicaux, op. 94, D. 780 and the Piano Sonata in c minor, D. 958.  

The sun was streaming into our home and I had simply nowhere to be until mid-afternoon.  I was able to truly enjoy each word that Schubert had written.  It was an incredible experience to have such an intimate look into Franz Schubert's life.

Schubert's letter to publishing house, Breitkopf und Härtel trying to convince them to buy his music. I sincerely hope that they replied: "JA!"

Schubert's address is actually super cool. 5th staircase? 2nd floor? Wow, times have changed. 

Permit me to share with you a few of the observations that I made.  Firstly, Schubert was relatively poor.  Many of his letters were to publishers negotiating a fair price for his compositions. It was simply incredible to see the names Breitkopf und Härtel and Schott at the top of some of Schubert's letters.  One can see how Schubert had to be persistent in contacting these people in order to get his music published.  It was eye-opening for me to see that even in that society, the struggle to create art and still survive financially was very difficult.  I suppose that I had been under many false presumptions that music and the other arts were highly valued in that society, therefore making the ability to sell them easier.  Schubert's letters indicate quite the opposite.

Part 1 of Schubert's cover letter to Austrian Emperor Francis II. I say hire the guy! 

Part 2 of Schubert's cover letter to the Emperor.  People this is gold. 

Aside from noticing how the "music business" ran back in the early nineteenth century, Schubert's letters reveal so much about the man himself.  It is clear that he was quite good-natured, friendly, jovial and quite simply desired to be happy.  His letters are nearly always affectionate, personable, and thoughtful.  Schubert was not afraid to express how he missed his friends and family.  It is clear that he longed to be with those special people in those places which held such wonderful memories for him.

When I initially started reading Schubert's letters, I was under the impression that he acted this way with only a few select people. On the contrary, it would appear that Schubert had many close friendships and was indeed very good at keeping in touch with friendships who did not necessarily live close to him.  As if it were possible, I now admire Schubert even more than before!  His music simply reflects the love that he had for the people and places in his life.

Regarding the places in his life, Schubert writes incredibly descriptive passages telling his reader about the places that he is visiting.  His attention to detail is stunning.  One soon grasps Schubert's adoration of nature and how being in the mountains or countryside revived him.  A nostalgia pervades how he describes his journey and the joy that he took in spending time with people who were special to him.

Tragic. Schubert's last surviving letter - written a week before he died. 

What I've always loved about Schubert's music is that his heart is conspicuously displayed on his sleeve.  That same heart is so evident in his letters.  I have not always been able to identify why I have such an affinity to Schubert's music.  Of all the composers, it speaks so profoundly to my life experience.  After getting a more intimate glimpse into his personal life through his letters, I now understand why I have been able to strongly identify with his music. 

I have, in the last two years, been able to reconnect with many dear friends who live far away from me.  I am always very sad to leave them and try to make a concerted effort to keep in touch with them by whatever means possible.  In fact, I would say that I share Schubert's unhealthy love of all things nostalgic.  Both his letters and music demonstrate a longing to return to the past.  For Schubert, the past is seems to be a better place than the present.


I have found that maintaining friendships from the past comes at a cost.  Emotionally, I am still invested in these people.  Sometimes, that results in disappointment.  Nonetheless, there is great joy in knowing that in cities near and far, there are people dear to my heart.  Reading Schubert's letters was an affirmation that we ought to write to each other and tell each other that we miss one another.  Schubert's music, on the other hand, goes one step further and expresses that love that we have for each other in such a sublime fashion.

So to conclude, to all of you whom I haven't seen in a while or haven't spoken with, I care for you. I think of you often and hope that your days are filled with glorious, life-changing music.

With all of my affection,

J.