Franz Schubert, the Austrian composer hailed as the “King of Song” for leaving behind more than 600 lieder, including masterpieces such as Erlkönig and Ave Maria.
Schubert is known not only for his many celebrated songs, but also for his wide-ranging output in solo piano works, symphonies, and chamber music.
In this article, we’ve handpicked Schubert’s most popular pieces as well as hidden gems beloved by devoted classical-music aficionados.
We present a selection of sparkling works infused with the spirit of a musician who composed throughout his life.
The collection is titled “30 Easy Minuets and Trios,” but since 10 pieces are actually missing, it has effectively become “20 Easy Minuets and Trios.” It was composed by Schubert in his teenage years.
No.
8, which is discussed here, is a minuet with a trio interlude and runs just under two minutes; it should be perfectly playable without advanced technique.
If you keep the staccatos crisp, play the slurs smoothly, and pay attention to contrasts—especially with the character change in the trio—you should find it easy to shape the expression.
816, composed using the rhythm of the Scottish folk dance “ecossaise,” which was popular in France and England from the late 18th to the early 19th century.
With its lively duple meter and bright character, this piece is invigorating whether you play it or listen to it.
To convey its briskness, it’s important to align the vertical timing of the left and right hands and reproduce the rhythm accurately.
Be sure to depress the keys all the way to the bottom and aim for a crisp, snappy tone when you play!
Three Piano Pieces (Impromptus), No. 2 in E-flat major, D 946Franz Schubert
Schubert: Three Piano Pieces (Impromptus), No. 2 in E-flat major, D 946 / Akira Imai
Composed in May 1828 by Franz Schubert, a leading Romantic composer of late-19th-century America, this piece is a late masterpiece written about six months before Schubert’s death and is structured in rondo form.
The main theme has a lyrical, calm character, and the piece is notable for a structure interwoven with two episodes.
Showcasing Schubert’s rich melodic sensibility and distinctive harmonic progressions, it is also recommended for beginner pianists.
With the left hand clearly accompanying and the right hand carrying the melody, you can gradually immerse yourself in Schubert’s musical world by practicing the more difficult middle section slowly.
If you’re interested in classical music, why not take this opportunity to give it a try?
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.
Schubert: 8 Ländlers, D 378 – Shinya Okahara, piano
The waltzes and dances that Schubert improvised in front of his friends are concise pieces, and as long as you have a feel for the waltz rhythm, they’re approachable even for beginners.
They’re especially recommended if you simply want to get a taste of Schubert’s world.
This set, the Eight Ländler, D.378, composed in 1816, is true to the name “Ländler”—a South German folk dance in 3/4 time—light and distinctly dance-like in its melodies.
The arpeggios in the right hand, which literally seem to dance, are the most important element.
In the repeated sections, avoid monotony by shaping the dynamics skillfully to evoke the glittering atmosphere of the social ballroom.
Franz Schubert’s Masterpieces: Exquisite Classical Works Left by the King of Song. Recommended Classical Music (91–100)
ErlkönigFranz Schubert
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.
