Description
The first of the Three Military Marches, D.733 (Op. 51), and one of Schubert's most widely loved pieces. It was originally composed for piano four hands and has been played in many arrangements since; this is a version for one player.
In D major and 2/4, it features a brilliant, heroic melody riding on the march rhythm, and like most marches it sets a contrasting middle section, the trio, between statements of the opening. Running about four and a half minutes with roughly 5,133 notes, its decorative figuration keeps the texture lively throughout. The range spans from F-sharp 1 to D7, too wide for a 61-key keyboard.
Popular as a recital encore, it suits intermediate players who can sustain a clear, unwavering sense of rhythm to the very end. Because four hands' worth of music is gathered into two, the leaps and chords keep both hands busy. Isolate the hard spots with the A-B loop and, starting from a slightly slower playback speed, even out the crispness of the dotted and repeated notes; the forward drive of a march will follow.
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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
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 the Impromptus, Opp. 90 and 142, and the "Hungarian Melody."
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