Schubert

Born in 1797, Schubert died in obscurity in 1828, little known outside his circle of Viennese friends and admirers. The composer of nine symphonies - including the famous Unfinished Symphony - as well as exquisite chamber music and over 600 songs, his reputation was not fully established until well after his death. Today he is recognised as one of the great composers and has taken his rightful place alongside his idols Mozart and Beethoven. But, as with Mozart and Beethoven, our image of the composer does not always accord with reality. Richard Baker examines the real story of Franz Schubert in words and pictures, bringing to life the Vienna of the early 19th century as well as the composer's friends, family and work.