Recommended Schubert Pieces to Play on Piano (Beginner to Intermediate)

Waltz No. 6 from “12 Waltzes, 17 Ländlers, and 9 Écossaises, D 145, Op. 18”Franz Schubert

[Recommended for piano recitals] Waltz Op. 18-6 ♪ Schubert / Waltz Op. 18-6, Schubert

Among Franz Schubert’s works, “Waltz No.

6” from 12 Waltzes, 17 Ländler and 9 Écossaises, D145, Op.

18 is considered approachable for beginning pianists.

Throughout, it maintains a gently flowing waltz rhythm, alternating between minor and major keys before settling peacefully back into the major.

Because the left-hand accompaniment involves leaps, skillful pedal use is important to achieve a smooth result.

If you’re not yet comfortable with pedaling, try practicing the left hand together with the pedal first, then add the right-hand melody.

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Impromptus No. 3 in B-flat major, D 935, Op. 142Franz Schubert

Schubert: Impromptus No. 3 in B-flat major, D 935, Op. 142 / Performed by Akira Imai

Let us introduce a work by Franz Schubert, a leading figure of early 19th-century Austria.

Composed in 1827, this piece is written in a theme-and-variations form, consisting of a theme followed by five variations.

It is characterized by a familiar melody that includes quotations from incidental music by Schubert himself.

Each variation employs various techniques—such as dotted rhythms, ornamentation, and triplets—beautifully fusing Viennese Classical virtuosity with Romantic lyricism.

Among Schubert’s piano works, this impromptu is one of the most highly regarded and frequently performed.

It is a recommended piece for those beginning piano through intermediate players who wish to experience Schubert’s world.

In Japan, it has also been used in commercials for TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company), so you might find yourself thinking, “Oh, it’s that piece!” as you play it.

wild roseFranz Schubert

Heidenröslein / Franz Peter Schubert: Piano (Solo) / Beginner

Heidenröslein is a song in which Franz Schubert set music to a poem by the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

It is well known in Japan and is used for school chimes and train departure melodies.

Many people may have sung it with the Japanese lyrics that begin “Warabe wa mitari.” Because the original song has a very simple melody, it is easy to play on the piano.

As you play gently, imagine the charm of a little wild rose blooming in the fields.

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Impromptus, D 935 Op. 142 No. 2Franz Schubert

Schubert — Impromptus No. 2 in A-flat major, D 935, Op. 142 — Performed by Akira Imai

When it comes to Schubert’s piano works, many people might think of the Four Impromptus, D 935, Op.

142.

Compared to music like jazz, where improvisation is essentially the core of the art, classical music is often associated with playing exactly what’s written on the score—so for those unfamiliar, the term “impromptu” might come as a surprise.

True to the title, these pieces were composed in Schubert’s later years with a free, unconfined spirit, yet they are often regarded as a de facto piano sonata, and nowadays the four are frequently performed together as a single work.

Technically, they require an upper-intermediate to advanced level of skill, but among the set, No.

2 is relatively less difficult compared to the other three.

If you’re eager to try playing Schubert’s impromptus, starting with No.

2 could be a good choice.

It has a minuet-like character; practice repeatedly so you can firmly feel the 3/4 meter and gracefully execute the light, flowing triplet arpeggios in the middle section.

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Scherzo in B-flat major, D.593Franz Schubert

Schubert / Scherzo in B-flat major, D. 593 / Performed by Kyoko Nakagawa

Schubert composed Two Scherzos, whose light waltz rhythm feels pleasantly buoyant, in 1817.

In terms of his creative output, that year is not generally considered particularly noteworthy, and this work, too, was not published until much later—1871, long after Schubert’s death.

The piece introduced here is No.

1.

While it features a distinctive, dance-like right-hand arpeggio, it does not demand advanced technique; it is a piece that even beginners who have become reasonably comfortable with the piano should be able to play.

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“Album Leaf” D.844 in G majorFranz Schubert

Schubert ‐ Albumblatt in G Major, D844

We’ve mentioned several times in this article that Schubert would play the piano in front of his closest friends, and that various dances and other pieces grew out of those gatherings; such get-togethers were called “Schubertiades.” The Albumblatt in G major, D.844, was composed around 1825, toward the end of the Schubertiade period, when Schubert’s works were beginning to gain recognition.

It’s a very short piece, not even a minute and a half long.

With its serene atmosphere and absence of light, shimmering arpeggios, it may strike some as rather plain.

However, if one can draw out the mood of a piece like this, it can surely enhance a pianist’s expressive power.

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Schubert’s LullabyFranz Schubert

Schubert's Lullaby by Tetsuo Nomoto

Franz Schubert’s “Schubert’s Lullaby” is arguably the most famous lullaby in the world.

With its gentle, soothing melody that lulls one to sleep, it’s a very simple and beautiful piece.

The tender, unadorned lyrics—perfectly matched to the words that say, “Sleep in your mother’s arms”—leave a strong impression.

When performing a lullaby, the beauty of the sound is paramount.

Even when playing it on the piano, focus on producing a rounded, gentle tone, calm your mind, and play with tenderness.

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