Schubert's 'crisis years' (1818-1823) are reflected in his string quartet output, with works like the Quartet in C minor, D. 703, remaining in fragmentary form.
Critical Reception
During his lifetime, Schubert only managed to publish 181 lieder and 193 piano dances, and just one of his 15 string quartets; the others were rediscovered in the second half of the 19th century.
Composition History
Schubert's father enjoyed sight-reading and playing reductions of orchestral works by composers like Haydn and Mozart for friends, using four or five string instruments.
Composition History
Schubert's brother, Ferdinand, documented that their family quartet, with Franz playing viola, often performed on Sundays during holidays.
Performer Biography
The Zemlinsky Quartet, formerly known as the Penguin Quartet, was founded in 1994 and is named in honor of the Viennese composer and conductor Alexander Zemlinsky.
Composer Biography
Franz Schubert learned to play the violin at an early age before switching permanently to the viola, an instrument he played in his family's string quartet.
Composition History
A publisher once rejected three of Schubert's string quartets, composed while he was a student of Antonio Salieri (court Kapellmeister), with the comment: 'I don't take student works'.
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