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Piano Sonatas

Piano Sonata in E major, D.459

Franz Schubert (1816)

DifficultyAdvanced
Duration27:50
Notes16,528
OpusD.459

Description

Dating from 1816, this work has an unusual history — it survives partly as a set of five separate piano pieces that are sometimes grouped and performed as a sonata. Each section retains classical balance while showing the fresh lyrical gift of the young Schubert. Around twenty-eight minutes long with over sixteen thousand notes, it requires the structural awareness to shape several movements into a coherent whole, suiting 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."

View all works by Schubert
Piano Sonata in E major, D.459 - Franz Schubert | Visual Piano