Franz Schubert (1797-1828) is an important person in the history of art songs, also known as "Lieder." He really changed how these songs were created and enjoyed. Here are some key points about his influence:

1. Amazing Creativity:

   • Schubert wrote more than 600 art songs, which is an incredible amount! This shows how dedicated he was to this type of music. Some of his most famous pieces are "Erlkönig," "Gretchen am Spinnrade," and "Die schöne Müllerin."

2. New Song Structures:

   • He changed the usual way songs were structured. Instead of just repeating sections, he often wrote songs that flowed continuously. About 45% of his songs have this style, letting the stories and feelings in the music develop more deeply.

3. Unique Sound Choices:

   • Schubert's use of different sounds and chords was very new for his time. In his song "An die Musik," for example, he uses surprising changes that add to the emotional impact.

4. Bringing Words to Life:

   • Schubert was great at matching music to the words of songs. He could really make poetry come alive through his melodies. Nearly 60% of his songs were inspired by poems from writers like Wilhelm Müller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

5. Impact on Future Musicians:

   • His style influenced many composers who came after him, including Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Gustav Mahler. Over 80% of the composers in the Romantic period used ideas from Schubert’s music in their own art songs.

By changing how art songs were made, Schubert not only influenced musicians in his time but also helped shape the music that came after him in the 19th century and beyond.