This is the first book of its kind on Schubert. It appears at a time when scholarly and general interest in his life and compositions is greater than ever, and its publication coincides with the celebration of the bicentenary of Schubert's birth in 1797.

The book opens with a chronicle of Schubert's life, which is followed by more than 300 biographical entries offering information not only on his friends and acquaintances, and on persons with whom he was associated through his music (poets, librettists, publishers, patrons, musicians), but also on a number of later 'Schubertians' who greatly advanced public appreciation and scholarly examination of his music or made a particularly significant contribution to our knowledge of his life. The book thus adds a fuller context and perspective to the reader's view of Schubert's activities, and indeed of the music itself.

Peter Clive's profile page

Peter Clive was formerly Professor of French at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada (1969-91).

'a compendium of essays on everyone who was musically anyone in Schubert's Vienna or touched upon his life and work. Whoever writes about Schubert will find it indispensable.' Fritz Spiegl, The Oldie

'Music fans hooked on reference books will have a ball on this one.' Alan Blakelock, Piano

'Dipping into a book like this can be a rewarding and enlightening experience. Peter Clive widens the perspective on our picture Schubert and brings the background into clearer focus.' Robert Walton, Classical Music

'covers a very wide range of persons who either knew and worked with Schubert, or have materially contributed to Schubert studies and music-making in the period since his death' Peter Branscombe Austrian Studies 10,

'Peter Clive has now done for Schubert what he achieved earlier for Mozart ... useful biographies of the writers and poets.' The Musical Times/November 1997

'Any reader wishing to delve further into Schubert's personal and social life, and discover more about the individuals who helped shape his musical career and the reception of his work, would do well to turn to Schubert and his World, Peter Clive's biographical dictionary.' The Times Higher Education Supplement