Joseph Schubert, born in Warnsdorf (Bohemia) in 1757, is related neither to his famous namesake, Franz Schubert, nor to the well-known musical family of Dresden (Davis, Franz Anton, Franz and Georgine Schubert). He received his first musical instruction from his father, a curator by profession. Then, after moving to Prague and Berlin, he developed his knowledge of violin and viola playing, as well as of composition. In 1779 he entered the service of the Markgraf of Schwerin as a viola player. He lived in Dresden from 1788, where he died on 28 July 1837, at the age of 80. In Gerber's volume Historisch-biographisches Laxicon der Tonkünstler (Leipzig 1790/92) his work in highly esteemed. Among his most important works are four operas, masses, piano works, chamber music and concertos. Gerber knew of over forty-nine concertos. Among his published works the designation opus 1 was given to two works; a set of three violin dous and the present concerto for flute and orchestra.