Description
Composed in 1828, the final year of Schubert's life, this is the second of his last three great piano sonatas. Its famous slow movement opens with a quiet, song-like theme before erupting into a stormy, almost violent central episode, revealing the emotional depth of the composer's final months. Lasting around forty minutes with nearly twenty thousand notes, it demands both expressive range and considerable stamina from advanced pianists.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
About the Composer
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Franz Schubert was a Vienna-born composer who died at only 31 but left behind a vast body of work, especially in the field of Lieder. Known for his gift for melody and subtle modulation, songs such as "Erlkonig" remain widely performed today. His piano works, including the Impromptus, are equally rich in lyricism. This site includes 120 of his works, such as Impromptus, "Erlkonig," and the "Hungarian Melody."
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