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.
Franz Schubert’s Masterpieces: Sparkling Classical Works Left by the King of Song. Recommended Classical Music (31–40)
Fantasia in C major, D.760 “Wanderer”Franz Schubert
Evgeny Kissin – Schubert – Wander Fantasy in C major, D 760
The Fantasia in C major, D 760 “Wanderer,” is a piano piece composed by Franz Schubert and published in 1822, commonly known as the “Wanderer Fantasy.” There is an anecdote that Schubert himself, frustrated at being unable to play the piece well, remarked, “Let the devil play such a piece.”
Schubert, Trout Quintet D. 667 — Sergey Kuznetsov et al. — Quintet “The Trout”
Composed in 1819 when Schubert was 22, this work was published posthumously in 1829.
In the summer of 1819, during a visit to Austria, Schubert met the amateur musician and mining entrepreneur Sylvester Paumgartner.
Paumgartner requested that Schubert write a quintet based on his favorite song, “Die Forelle” (The Trout), and Schubert composed this piece in response.
Sentimental Waltz, D 779 Op. 50 No. 13Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert, Sentimental Waltz Op 50, 13
Franz Schubert’s Sentimental Waltz, D 779, Op.
50 No.
13, is a piano piece whose relaxed tempo and graceful melody create a pleasant impression.
Published in 1825, it is said to have been regarded as one of Schubert’s popular works since its composition in 1823.
The charm of this piece lies in how, while grounded in the waltz’s fundamental triple meter, the performer can freely shape tempo and nuance to follow the contours of the melody and the flow of phrases.
By attending to the resonance of the accompaniment’s harmonies and balancing the right and left hands, you can fully savor the atmosphere of refined, elegant salon music.
Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D 958Franz Schubert
Schubert – Piano sonata D.958 – Richter studio
Franz Schubert, famed as the “king of song,” also left many masterpieces of piano sonatas.
One of them is the Piano Sonata No.
19 in C minor, D 958, composed in 1828, the final year of his life.
The piano sonatas from this period were written with a strong consciousness of Ludwig van Beethoven—the revered master known as the composer of the “Ninth” and the Symphony No.
5 “Fate.” Despite his failing health, Schubert poured his full strength into these large-scale works.
Of the four movements, only the second is in A-flat major and thus in a major key; the other three movements are all in C minor.
Whether he was aware of his impending death is unknown, but these late works remain highly popular today.
Regarding the Piano Sonata No.
18, Robert Schumann—renowned also as a critic—lavishly praised it as “perfect both in form and spirit,” and No.
19 stands alongside Nos.
18 and 20 as one of the most beloved works in Schubert’s output.
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major, D 850Franz Schubert
Schubert: Piano Sonata No.17, in D Major D. 850, Christian Zacharias (complete)
This is a piano sonata composed in 1825.
All four movements are written in a major key.
The first movement is a lively Allegro vivace.
The second movement, the longest, marked Con moto, has been described as having a “heavenly length.” The third movement, Scherzo, is characterized by its dotted rhythms.
String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde”Franz Schubert
Schubert: String Quartet No. 13 in A minor “Rosamunde,” D 804 — II. Movement
Composed in 1824, this work dates from a time when Schubert’s health had declined and he had grown pessimistic about life, which lends the piece an overall dark, brooding character that reflects his state of mind.
It is the only string quartet published during Schubert’s lifetime.
The nickname “Rosamunde” comes from Schubert’s quotation in this work of a theme from his incidental music for the play of the same name.
Yulianna Avdeeva – Franz Schubert Drei Klavierstücke D 946
Franz Schubert, the Austrian composer known as the “king of song,” wrote several piano pieces in his later years.
While many retain a classical style, an increasing number display romantic, emotive character, influencing later composers.
This set of solo piano pieces was composed in 1828, but it was neither published immediately nor widely remembered.
Johannes Brahms, the German composer who admired Schubert’s piano sonatas, highly valued the works and edited them anonymously; they were published in 1868.
The first piece is a fierce tarantella in the rare key of E-flat minor.
The third piece is marked by distinctive syncopation and a vibrant energy.
Notably, it was also Brahms who gave the collection the title by which it is known today: “Three Piano Pieces.”
