A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Schober, Franz von

by George Grove

SCHOBER, Franz von, an Austrian poet, the youngest child of four, born at Torup, near Malmoe, in Sweden, May 17, 1798. His mother lost her fortune during the French occupation of Hamburg—the same which drove the Mendelssohns to Berlin—and Franz had but a desultory education. She returned to Austria, and he became tutor in the Festetics and Urmenyi and other Hungarian families. He first knew Schubert as early as 1813, by meeting with some of his songs at the house of Spaun; he at once made his personal acquaintance, and induced Schubert to live with him for a few months, till the return of Schober's brother. This was the beginning of an intimacy which lasted till Schubert's death, and during the greater part of which he had always his room in Schober's house. The two, being so nearly of an age, became very intimate; Schober was devoted to him, and Schubert set several of his poems to music,^[1] besides the libretto of 'Alfonso and Estrella.' He was chief mourner at the funeral of his friend in 1828. In 1843 we find him at Weimar with Liszt, and in the service of the Grand Duke. In 1856 he settled in Dresden for a few years; in 1860 removed to Pesth; in 1869 to Munich; and since then has lived in Gratz and other places. His works embrace poems (8vo. 1842, 1865), and various occasional pamphlets.

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1. Op. 16 No. 1; 23, No. 4; 88, No. 4; 96, No. 2; 102; 104; 108, No.2; 109, Nos. 1, 2; 123; Lief. 10. No. 6; 18, No. 1; 21. No. 2; 24, No. 1; 'Trost im Liede.'

   [ F. A. M. ]