Franz Schubert (1797–1828) was a classical composer who, together with Beethoven, hailed romanticism and spanned the classical and romantic musical periods. He has been called the "German Beethoven" and is regarded as one of the greatest pianists and songwriters of all time. Schubert's output consisted mainly of piano music, including solo pieces, duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and masses. He also composed songs, string quartets, and orchestral works. His style can be described as pure and elegant, with a preference for melodic beauty over dramatic force. He was particularly renowned for his beautiful piano compositions, which have been called "the most perfect representation of love, life, and happiness ever written down on paper." His best-known work is undoubtedly the Piano Quartet in A major ("Duo"), completed just months before he died at the age of 36. This piece is often referred to as "one of the great masterpieces of all time". It has been said that if you know only one Schubert piece, it should be this quartet. It is easy to understand why: its beauty is undeniable, and its simplicity intriguing.