Franz Schubert

Life and music

Schubert grew up in Vienna and received early music lessons from his family and the local church musician Michael Holzer. In 1808 he joined the imperial chapel choirboys and entered the associated school. He began composition studies with Antonio Salieri in 1812 and later taught the Esterházy daughters. Friends and performers helped his music reach listeners. He died in Vienna in 1828.

Explore short dances, character pieces and longer impromptus. Begin by listening for a phrase that feels like a singing line, then notice how the accompaniment changes its character. A compact dance, a familiar character piece and a larger impromptu offer different listening experiences rather than a required course.

Sources

• henle.de
• data.onb.ac.at
• schubertschloss.at

Where to start

1. 1German Dance in A-flat major, D. 365 No. 1Level 3, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Moments Musicaux No. 3 in F MinorLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Impromptu No. 4 in F minor, D. 935 (Op. 142)Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces in the Music Room

Sonata journeys

• Piano Sonata in A major, D. 664 / Op. posth. 120, movement ILevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro

At the dance floor

• Valse noble No. 9 in A minor, D. 969Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro

Small scenes, big imagination

• Ständchen (Serenade), D. 957 No. 4: Liszt transcription S. 560 No. 7Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces

• German Dance, D. 420 No. 2Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Écossaise, D. 529 No. 8, melody editionLevel 1, estimatedWith Maestro
• Death and the Maiden, D. 531: piano arrangementLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Die Forelle, D. 550: melody-only piano sourceLevel 2, estimatedWith Maestro
• Hungarian MelodyLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Ave Maria, D. 839: piano arrangementLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in c-mollLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in Es-durLevel 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in Ges-durLevel 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in A-flat major, D. 899 No. 4Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Piano Trio No. 2, D. 929: II, piano arrangementLevel 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in F minor, D. 935 No. 1Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in A-flat major, D. 935 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impromptu in B-flat major, D. 935 / Op. posth. 142 No. 3Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Erlkönig: Liszt piano transcription S.558 No. 4 after SchubertLevel 10, estimatedWith Maestro