Schubert Vol. IV: The Early Piano Sonatas The early sonatas still show a clear connection to the inheritance of Haydn, Mozart and of course, the titan of the piano sonata, Beethoven. However, rather than trying to follow in the path of the elder Beethoven, Schubert emancipated himself from the shackles of his forebears. Schubert was still a student of Antonio Salieri (1750-1825) at the time of writing these early sonatas. Salieri was a legendary teacher in Vienna and must have noticed the talent and dedication of the young Schubert, since he offered him free lessons. Schubert, who survived on a meagre income as a schoolteacher, was evidently grateful and proud to be Salieri's student, sometimes even writing 'Pupil of Herr von Salieri' as a footnote to his compositions of the time.
