was largely supported by his wealthy male friends, occasional funds from publishers, and such short-term positions as a foray to Hungary to teach the wealthy Esterhazy daughters. Schubert is music history's first bohemian. Schubert lived the whole of his life in Vienna, a city much overshadowed by Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. With the rise of a middle class society, opera houses and concert halls were very much a part of everyday life. Vienna, however, was also under great political stress during this period, constantly at odds with France. When Schubert was an adolescent, Vienna was invaded and occupied by Napoleon. Schubert lived in a climate both preoccupied by music, occupied by French armies, and governed by oppressive political administrations. In his music can be heard the cheerfulness of stoicism and the influence of the common man being invited into the sphere of art music. A significant characteristic of Schubert's life is the blending of his devotion to compose and his need for socializing. His circle of friends, which included artists, poets, and musicians, would often gather to hear the music of their composer friend, who they affectionately nicknamed "Schwammerl". These gatherings came to be known as "Schubertiads". This was the only forum in Schubert's life that his lieder were regularly heard. A lieder is a lowly musical genre that Schubert raised to an art-form. Inspite of the popularity of the public concert, an emerging phenomenon of the eighteenth century, Schubert produced only a single one during his life, during the last year of his short life, and only with the urging and support of his friends. Financially, it was a success for Schubert; critically, it received mediocre acceptance. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by a visit of violin "classic star (didn't have rock music then, so couldn't be a rock star)" Niccolo Paganini. A reason Schubert never reached his fame level in his hometown during his life was a...
