This Jause is an excerpt from Classical Cake, Op. 11. In this excerpt, we’re talking with Dr. Tina Breckwoldt, official historian for the Vienna Boys Choir, about Franz Schubert’s time in the choir.

TRANSCRIPT

So in addition to Joseph Haydn, another major pillar of the First Viennese School, Franz Schubert, was also a member of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. What do we know about his time there?

We definitely know that he was a member of the choir.

He auditioned when he was eight, I think for the first time. And he was not accepted at that time. He was too young.

He auditioned again when he was 11. There were two places open again. And you know, this fierce competition for these spots. The two spots had been promised to two boys from noble families.

And Salieri, often maligned, heard Franz Schubert sing and said, ‘We're not sticking to that arrangement. He's much better. He gets the spot.’

Wow. So it was Salieri’s word really made that happen.

Yeah, definitely.

And his talent, obviously. Salieri supported Schubert throughout his time in the choir. Salieri was — even after Schubert had already left the choir — Salieri still gave him lessons in composing at no charge. So, he really furthered the boy’s career, as it were.

But, Schubert… they knew he was musical. And, they put him in the orchestra the boys had at that time, first in the violin section. Then after a while — they just thought he was so gifted — he started conducting them and that was a school orchestra, quote unquote. But they were good enough to play Beethoven symphonies. Beethoven, apparently, heard that at some point. They must have been quite good at [playing], you know, that's a taxing, taxing kind of literature to play.