Description
Composed in 1817 when Schubert was twenty, this sonata makes the most of the bright key of B major, combining youthful energy with song-like lyricism. At around twenty-five minutes and over ten thousand notes, it calls for careful attention to Schubert's subtle harmonic shifts beneath the surface brightness. Sustaining stamina and concentration across all its movements, while singing out Schubert's long-breathed melodic lines, is essential, suiting advanced players.
Piano sonatas representative of the Classical and Romantic eras, including Beethoven's early works — substantial multi-movement pieces throughout.
Browse all songs in Piano Sonatas →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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