Description
Composed in 1817, this E minor sonata carries the taut tension typical of the minor mode, while its slow movement opens into softly singing melodic lines, creating Schubert's characteristic play of light and shadow. At around sixteen minutes and roughly seven thousand notes, it is more compact than many of his sonatas from this period, making it relatively manageable to perform in one sitting.
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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