More thoughts and viewpoints.
Schubert’s friend, Franz Grillparzer, formulated this somewhat criticized inscription for Schubert’s gravestone: ”The art of music here entombed a rich possession; but even far fairer hopes. Here lies Franz Schubert.”
It is said that Schubert during a meeting in 1820 with the rebellious students were detained and put into custody along with his friend and poet John Senn. Schubert was released quickly and escaped with a black eye while his friend Senn was detained for 14 months.
Times were certainly political. Another friend, Eduard von Bauernfeld, summed it up: ”Schubert suffered from the disaster of being Austrian! The Austrian system saves honor and rank only to the golden mediocrity and considers each one who has the slightest talent as a born enemy. Schubert certainly also is such an enemy and remains throughout life, until the state system, this tough boil, is finally lanced. ”
A final quote from Schubert: I secretly hope I am able to make something of myself, but who is able to accomplish anything after Beethoven?