Description
The second of the Three Military Marches, D.733 (Op. 51), tends to stand in the shadow of the famous No. 1, but it has a character of its own. All three were written for piano four hands; here it is heard in a version for one player.
In G major and 4/4, it rests on the major mode but, in contrast with the brightness of No. 1, has passages shaded by the minor, calling for more dramatic and tense expression. It runs a little over four minutes with roughly 4,367 notes. The range spans from G1 to D7, too wide for a 61-key keyboard.
It is approachable at intermediate level, and the point is to weave shifting emotion into a steady march rhythm. How those darker shadings are handled strongly affects the impression it leaves, so pay attention to the difference in tone between the bright and the clouded passages. Slow the playback, repeat each passage with the A-B loop, and practise changing the colour while keeping the beat unchanged; the contours of the whole piece will become much clearer.
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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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