It's so easy to find oneself attracted to the music of Franz Schubert. His unmatched gift for lyricism makes him so approachable, so comprehensible; and we feel ourselves being pulled into his musical world—in my case, at a very early age. 

But now, with the wisdom of my years, my appreciation for Schubert has deepened.  For lying within this musical world of color and melodic beauty is a powerful undertow of mystery, of light and dark, of profundity beyond the years of a young genius who lived only until the age of 31.

In January, 2013, to mark the 215th anniversary of Schubert's birth, I thought it was an opportune time to share my thoughts on one of my all-time favorite composers.