Franz Schubert (1797-1828) - Reproduktion einer Zeichnung von Moritz von Schwind

Franz Schubert revered Ludwig van Beethoven a lot and knew all his important works. His own compositions contain a number of elements taken from Beethoven's music. Despite his admiration and although both composers lived in the same town, no closer contact was established. They probably only knew each other by sight. So, the young and shy Schubert admired Beethoven from a distance.

Anton Schindler, Beethoven's secretary and assistant in the 1820s claimed that Schubert visited Beethoven in 1822 and gave him his variations of "Le bon chevalier" (the good knight) which he had just published along with a dedication for Beethoven. On this occasion, Schubert stayed a while. A friend of Schubert, Josef von Spaun, however, said the young musician did not meet Beethoven personally. In any case, Beethoven received Schubert's variations as he soon thereafter played them with his nephew. Beethoven also knew other works by Schubert and he repeatedly praised and admired the younger composer's music.

Both composers certainly met shortly before Beethoven died. In March 1827 Schubert, the brothers Joseph und Anselm Hüttenbrenner and painter Josef Teltscher visited the dying Beethoven in his flat at the "Schwarzspanierhaus".(S.B.)