Moments Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor

History

Schubert's third Moment musical had an earlier individual life in print as Air russe in 1823. The six-piece collection appeared in 1828. A miniature can therefore have a publication history before the set by which it is now best known.

Sources

• barenreiter.us

What to listen for

1. 1

   The accompaniment starts alone

   Two bars of detached bass notes and chords establish the pulse before the upper melody enters. Keep the pattern light and steady.

2. 2

   A decorated entrance

   A grace note leads into the melody’s detached notes and a small slurred turn. The next bar answers with accented dyads and their ornaments. Keep the decoration connected to its arrival.

3. 3

   The idea becomes fuller

   The decorated figure returns with a chord at its ending, followed by two accented higher dyads. Let the fuller sound grow without losing the light rhythmic character.

4. 4

   Listen to both voices

   The upper staff briefly divides into two voices. Hear the moving melody and the supporting notes separately, then leave the small rest clear before the held dyad.

5. 5

   Moving chords find an arrival

   Connected sixteenth-note dyads lead into a small upper turn, then two F-minor chords. Keep the motion smooth and let the repeated chords settle the phrase.

How to practise it

Keep the accompaniment light as the ornamented melody joins.

1. Practise the grace-to-main connection after its preceding silence.
2. Practise the alternating support softly before adding the melody.
3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

About this piece

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

More by Franz Schubert

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