Classical composers and modern composers - It seems to be no justice in this world...

What is the difference between modern composers and those who lived about three or four centuries ago? Throughout the history of civilization many gifted people have proclaimed their genius only to go unrecognised during their lifetime. For others no matter what obstacles were placed in their path they managed to find ways to express themselves. The question was the price that one had to pay for fame. That price was usually a broken destiny.

Nowadays, it is clear that modern artists, composers and musicians have a much better chance of becoming world famous during their lifetime than their “colleagues” in the Classical era. And why is that? Is there any difference in comprehending music now and then? I think, not. Modern people receive the same emotional delight from hearing the music on their CD-players as the Classical era audience did listening to a live symphony in the music hall.

The fact is that contemporary technology allows music to reach a larger number of listeners and therefore admirers. Artists can have audiences of millions if not billions! A composer only has to find an experienced producer and produce several good concerts to become well known. There are broadcasting stations, radio, Internet, the press and guest concerts worldwide. There are specialists who know how to popularise and carry out the right PR management. So you don’t even need to be a genius, the system will do everything for you!

It was all different four centuries ago. Musicians, artists and composers performed mainly for rich, noble people; for the upper class. They dictated the popularity of one creation and the failure of another, but could all of them be real connoisseurs of art? In fact a good few of them for the most part could even be uneducated. The biggest paradox is that in those times great composers with a genius for music could be extremely poor and weren’t often recognised. One such crying injustice was the destiny of the world famous composer Franz Schubert who died unknown, alone, sick and poor.

Franz Schubert is considered to be a composer who straddles the romantic and classical periods. He also became the last great and talented representative of the Classical era in music.

Schubert’s musical compositions were famous for their particular melodiousness and harmony. He wrote about 600 compositions (including liturgical music, symphonies, operas, chamber and solo piano music).

During his life he suffered from a number of illnesses, the final one being typhoid fever which was then incurable, but it didn’t prevent him from creating his masterpieces. Throughout his lifetime he tried to find a worthy job, but the position of a schoolteacher was the best he could achieve. He was even unemployed once. This provides clear evidence that the society of the time couldn’t and didn’t want to accept him. Though he continued writing music – that was all he had. The most ironic fact is that his most profitable and successful public performance was in the same year that he died. To become famous posthumously he had to suffer all his life, not so much from poverty as from unrecognised talent. Click here if you want to find out about the latest hard drives.