Franz Schubert Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

ErlkönigFranz Schubert51rank/position

Der Erlkönig: Franz Schubert, Philippe Sly: Bass-Baritone, Maria Fuller: piano

This is a signature work by Franz Schubert, the genius composer from Austria.

Written when he was 18, it is a richly narrative song based on a poem by Goethe, depicting a father and son galloping through a forest at night.

The piano accompaniment conveys the sensation of the horse’s swift pace, and one singer differentiates the voices of the father, the son, and the Erlking—a hallmark of its demanding technique.

Its tense atmosphere and dramatic development grip listeners from start to finish.

It’s a piece I especially recommend to women interested in classical music.

Wiegenlied Schubert’s LullabyFranz Schubert52rank/position

Schubert’s Lullaby ♪ Sleep, sleep upon your mother’s breast Naito Atsushi (translator) Schubert’s Lullaby

The original lyrics are in German, but in Japan it’s sung with Japanese lyrics.

The title alone might not ring a bell, but you’ll recognize it as soon as you see the words.

From long ago to the present, it’s surely a lullaby many babies have listened to in their cradles.

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sasashina

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Introduction and Variations on the Theme of “Withering Flowers”Franz Schubert53rank/position

Schubert Introduction and Variations on Trockne Blumen Flute Atsuko Koga Piano Mayuko Miyata

Composed in 1825, this work is a set of variations for flute and piano by Schubert himself, based on No.

18, “The Withered Flower,” from his 20-song cycle Die schöne Müllerin, one of his representative masterpieces.

It is said to have been written for the flutist Ferdinand Bogner, with whom he was acquainted.

The piece conveys the sorrow of the protagonist from the original Die schöne Müllerin.

Serenade, No. 4 from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert54rank/position

Schubert: Serenade

Often referred to as the “King of Song,” Schubert is also known for having produced many historically renowned masterpieces that continue to be loved today, such as “Heidenröslein” and “Erlkönig.” There are numerous piano solo arrangements of Schubert’s lieder, and many people have likely performed them at recitals.

In this article, we introduce the particularly famous “Serenade” from Schubert’s posthumously compiled song cycle Schwanengesang.

The melody is so heartrendingly beautiful that simply having it in your head makes it easy to get started, and the key point is to solidly internalize the basic 3/4 rhythm while the left hand steadily handles the bass.

It’s well within reach for players at an upper-beginner to approaching-intermediate level, so by all means, try to express the music’s shifting emotions with your whole being.

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KOH-1

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Wanderer’s Nightsong II, D 768Franz Schubert55rank/position

Schubert: Wandrers Nachtlied II, D. 768

Franz Schubert, the king of song, left behind more than 600 lieder.

This work is a serene song based on a poem by Goethe, depicting the stillness of mountain peaks, trees, and little birds, and is regarded as symbolizing peace in life and the quiet after death.

Schubert’s delicate music beautifully expresses the poem’s inner tranquility.

Composed in 1822 and published in 1827, the piece has continued to be loved by many for its beauty and simplicity.

It’s recommended not only for those interested in classical music but also for anyone seeking calm and peace of mind.

polite verb suffix (masu); used to make verbs polite in JapaneseFranz Schubert56rank/position

2010 Prizewinner Commemoration – Fuyuko Nakamura / Schubert–Liszt: “Die Forelle” S.564, etc.

It’s a piece that conjures an image of musical notes popping cheerfully out of a piano.

The elegant, beautiful melody is gentle on the ears.

The occasional rises and falls still sound very refined thanks to the steady tempo.

For someone with a vivid imagination, it might evoke the social scene of old European aristocracy—gracefully dressed women waltzing with elegance.

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en

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Masu Op. 32 D550Franz Schubert57rank/position

Masu Schubert Waltraud Meier 18/24

‘Die Forelle’ (The Trout), composed by Austrian composer Schubert around the age of 20, is one of his most popular German lieder.

While the brisk piano and refreshing melody are striking, the lyrics tell a somewhat cruel story: as the narrator pleasantly watches trout dart about in a clear, bright stream, a crafty fisherman uses underhanded means to catch them.

This tale serves as a metaphorical warning to beware of men who deceive women.

Schubert also used this melody as the basis for his Piano Quintet, which shows how deeply attached he was to it.

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satomi

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Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D 821Franz Schubert58rank/position

Arpeggione Sonata ／Yo-Yo Ma & Rudolf Firkušný（1992 LIVE）

Composed in 1824 and published posthumously in 1871.

The arpeggione is a six‑string instrument, sometimes called a “guitar cello,” that combines features of both the guitar and the cello.

It is said that by the time this piece was published, the instrument had already fallen into obscurity.

Although the arpeggione has since been reconstructed, it is now customary to perform the work on instruments such as the cello or viola.

Despite its many drawbacks, this piece has not faded away; it continues to be performed today, brimming with a mysterious charm.

Sonata in A minor, D 821, for Arpeggione and PianoFranz Schubert59rank/position

Franz Schubert – Sonata Arpeggione – Duo Adentro

The chamber work Sonata in A Minor, D 821, for Arpeggione and Piano, composed by Franz Schubert in Vienna in 1824.

The arpeggione is a six‑string bowed instrument invented between 1823 and 1824, and because it had already fallen out of use by the time Schubert died, this piece has, to the present day, been performed and cherished on instruments such as the cello, viola, and guitar.

Since the arpeggione was played with a bow, performances on the guitar may differ from what Schubert intended.

However, the piece’s plaintive atmosphere pairs wonderfully with the guitar’s unadorned timbre.

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yuri

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Allegretto in C minor, D 915Franz Schubert60rank/position

Schubert – Allegretto in C minor, D.915 – with score

Let me introduce a short piece by Franz Schubert, known as a standard-bearer of the Romantic era.

Written on the occasion of a friend’s departure, this work is filled with the emotions of farewell and profound poignancy.

It is cast in ternary form, and the delicate balance between the main section in C minor and the middle section in A-flat major is striking.

The melody bears traces of Beethoven’s influence, while its sonorities foreshadow Schumann and Brahms—another part of its appeal.

Composed in April 1827, the piece may also reflect an elegiac tribute to Beethoven.

Even beginners at the piano can approach it: the hands often move in parallel, and the passages that shift out of sync can be mastered with slow practice.

A highly recommended piece for anyone wishing to step into Schubert’s world.