In the last years of his life Franz Schubert composed his Ninth Symphony
However because of its length he was unable to finance its performance
He passed it to The Society of Friends of Music in Vienna
But it was considered to long and difficult to play and was soon cast aside
In 1838 Robert Schuman was shown the manuscript and took a copy back to Leipzig
He recognised the genius of the work
It was performed in public for the first time by Felix Mendelssohn in 1839
I was dressed as a clown that day as I taught my music class
Not one of my students recognised me
Which made me very happy
Although this was tinged with sadness
I just wanted to be liked
My beautiful wife loved me as did my children
But I did not love myself
On a biographical note I am the owner of a number of sulphur mines
And am the major employer in the area
However this is a dangerous occupation
And many of my employees die young
Their deaths haunt me and I cannot ignore my grief