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Romantic · impromptu

Impromptu in Ges-dur

Franz Schubert · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

An 1827 Impromptu that reached print decades later. Impromptu in Ges-dur is an impromptu by Franz Schubert from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • impromptu
  • Romantic
  • dreamy
  • gentle
  • voicing

Also known as D. 899 No. 3; Op. 90 No. 3.

History

Schubert's D. 899 set dates from 1827, but its third and fourth pieces reached print about thirty years after the first two. Schubert Online catalogues this No. 3's first edition in 1857 with Carl Haslinger. The composition year and the publication year tell different parts of its story.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A singing line above motion

    The melody holds B-flat while the inner notes flow beneath it. Keep the long note audible without making every accompanying note equally prominent.

  2. The melody settles

    The long B-flat moves down to G-flat. Listen for this gentle arrival while keeping the inner pattern even.

  3. Long notes become a phrase

    After holding A-flat, the melody descends through G-flat, F, E-flat and D-flat. Shape that line without letting the quicker inner notes take over.

  4. A chromatic lead onward

    The melody rises to B-flat, then holds A-flat before A-natural leads into the next phrase. Hear the final note as a connection rather than a new ending.

How to practise it

Keep the long singing line audible above the quicker inner notes.

  1. Hear the melody independently of the accompanying groups.
  2. Keep the inner pattern even and less prominent.
  3. Connect the descending melody as a phrase rather than isolated targets.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

A lyrical performance target still requires sustained melody and accompaniment balance. The proposal values continuity and sound control, not just the ability to read individual pitches.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Franz Schubert, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Franz Schubert

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the long singing line audible above the quicker inner notes.

Practise it in PlayPiano