Franz Peter Schubert (January 31, 1797 - November 19, 1828), was an Austrian composer, considered the last master of the Viennese Classical school and one of the earliest proponents of musical Romanticism. Although he died at the young age of 31, he wrote some six hundred romantic songs (lieder) as well as many symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, some operas and many other works. With a natural flair for melodies and lyricism, Schubert is counted among the most gifted composers of the 19th century.