Schubert Piano Sonatas
Franz Schubert began work on twenty-two piano sonatas, but he completed only eleven, three of which were published during his lifetime (D. 845, 850, 894). Perhaps twenty of these works can be considered complete enough to be included in recitals, and they extend from 1815 to 1828.
His piano sonatas can roughly be divided into three periods. More than half of them, including a few that he left unfinished, belong to the years 1815-1818. Then, in 1825-26, came four works: D. 840, D. 845, D. 850, and D. 894. The last three sonatas, D. 958, D. 959, and D. 960, were written during the last months of Schubert's life, between the spring and autumn of 1828. Only two sonatas fall outside these three periods: D. 664 of 1819, and D. 784 of 1823.
Schubert’s piano sonatas were mostly neglected in the nineteenth century. Only around the centennial of Schubert's death (1828) did these works begin to receive serious attention and critical acclaim. His last three sonatas are now regarded as essential members of the classical piano repertoire, frequently appearing in concert programs, studio recordings, and musicological writings. Some late twentieth century scholars have even argued that Schubert's last three piano sonatas should rank together with Beethoven's most mature piano sonatas.
Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828) was an Austrian composer. He wrote over six hundred lieder (songs), nine symphonies (including the famous Unfinished Symphony), liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, numerous pieces of chamber music, and a large body of solo piano music.
Renowned for his magnificent melodies, he was perhaps even more proficient at creating music of extraordinary depth and emotional power. And despite his tragically short life, Franz Schubert is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all composers.
Tutorials
D.459 Allegro moderato
D.537 Allegretto quasi Andantino
D.664 Allegro moderato Part 1 Part 2
D.664 Andante Complete
D.664 Allegro Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
D. 959 Andantino Part 1 Part 2
D. 960 Andante sostenuto front section middle section last sections
Sheetmusic
imslp.org