Franz Schubert was one of the most prolific and influential composers of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. He wrote over 600 songs, nine symphonies, chamber music, operas, and piano works. His music is admired for its lyrical beauty, harmonic richness, and emotional depth. However, his life was cut short at the age of 31, leaving behind many unfinished works and unanswered questions. What was the cause of his death? How did his health affect his creativity? And what legacy did he leave for the world of music?
Contents
The Official Cause: Typhoid Fever
According to the official ruling, Schubert died of typhoid fever on November 19, 1828, in Vienna. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that causes high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes delirium. It is spread by contaminated food or water and can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics. According to Tomson Highway, Schubert contracted the disease from eating tainted fish at a restaurant. He was bedridden for two weeks before he succumbed to the infection.
Typhoid fever was a common cause of death in 19th-century Europe, especially in crowded and unsanitary cities like Vienna. Schubert was not the only famous composer who died of this disease. Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mendelssohn also suffered from typhoid fever at some point in their lives, though not all of them died from it.
The Alternative Theory: Syphilis
However, some historians have proposed another theory for Schubert’s cause of death: syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that causes various symptoms depending on the stage of the disease. It can affect the skin, mucous membranes, bones, nerves, brain, heart, and blood vessels. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications and death.
There is some evidence that Schubert had syphilis since his early twenties. He may have contracted it from a prostitute or a casual partner in Vienna’s brothels or bathhouses. He reportedly suffered from headaches, skin rashes, hair loss, weight loss, depression, and insomnia. He also visited a hospital for venereal diseases in 1823 and received mercury treatment, which was the standard remedy at the time but had severe side effects.
Some scholars believe that syphilis affected Schubert’s musical output as well. They argue that his late works show signs of mental deterioration and emotional instability. They point to his unfinished Symphony No. 8 in B minor (the “Unfinished”), which he abandoned after writing only two movements in 1822. They also cite his song cycle Winterreise (Winter Journey), which he composed in 1827 and depicts a lonely wanderer facing despair and death.
However, other scholars dispute this theory and claim that there is no conclusive proof that Schubert had syphilis or that it influenced his music. They argue that his symptoms could have been caused by other conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, or malnutrition. They also suggest that his unfinished works were not due to mental decline but rather to artistic experimentation or lack of motivation. They also emphasize that his late works also contain elements of beauty, joy, and hope.
The Legacy: A Musical Genius
Regardless of the exact cause of his death, Schubert left behind a remarkable legacy of musical genius. He composed over 1,500 works in various genres and styles, many of which are considered masterpieces of Western classical music. He was especially renowned for his songs (lieder), which he wrote for solo voice and piano accompaniment. He set poems by Goethe, Schiller, Heine, Müller, and others to music that expressed their meaning and mood with exquisite sensitivity and creativity. He also pioneered the concept of the song cycle: a series of songs that form a coherent narrative or thematic unity.
Schubert also made significant contributions to instrumental music. He wrote symphonies that expanded the classical form and explored new harmonic possibilities. His Symphony No. 9 in C major (the “Great”) is regarded as one of the first examples of Romantic symphonism. He also wrote chamber music that showcased his skill in writing for different combinations of instruments. His String Quintet in C major is considered one of the finest works in the genre. He also wrote piano works that ranged from sonatas to impromptus to waltzes.
Schubert’s music was not widely appreciated during his lifetime. He struggled to find patrons or publishers who would support his work. He lived in poverty and obscurity until his death. However, after his death, his music was discovered and championed by other composers such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, and Mahler. His music became popular among the public and influenced generations of musicians. Today, Schubert is regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
