Friends, Publishers, The Gesellschaft Der Musikfreunde (1825-1826, Part II)

Abstract As soon as Schubert arrived back in Vienna, he took up residence again in the Fruhwirthaus. He now began a series of long and convivial evenings socializing with his friends. Bauernfeld’s entry in his diary for early October sums it all up: Schubert is back. Inn and coffee-house gatherings with friends, often until two or three in the morning. Schober is the worst in all this. True, he has nothing to do, and actually does nothing, for which he is often reproached by Moritz.1 From this time onwards, Bauernfeld was rather frequently in Schubert’s company. The close friendship had begun in the previous February and had been interrupted after only three months by the composer’s tour with Vogl. For some weeks that summer, of the inner circle of Schubert’s friends only Bauernfeld and Schwind were left in Vienna. Both kept in contact with Schubert while he was away by letter. Bauernfeld was studying hard for his final law examinations during this period, and in August was delighted to learn that he had passed with flying colours.2