Masterpieces by Franz Schubert: Sparkling classical works left by the King of Song. Recommended classical music.

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.

Playlist

Masterpieces by Franz Schubert: Sparkling classical works left by the King of Song. Recommended classical music.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Erlkönig Op. 1 D328Franz Schubert		A famous song composed by Schubert, with lyrics by Goethe
2	Piano Quintet “The Trout,” Movement 4Franz Schubert		Schubert’s refreshing chamber music masterpiece
3	Moments Musicaux, Op. 94, D. 780, No. 3 in F minorFranz Schubert		Chopin’s collection of masterpieces, includes the famous No. 3
4	Ellen’s Song No. 3, Op. 52-6, D.839 (Ave Maria)Franz Schubert		A song from Schubert’s final years, and one of the world’s three great Ave Marias.
5	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960 – I. Molto moderatoFranz Schubert		A masterpiece that reflects Schubert's deep emotions
6	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout” — IV. Theme and Variations: AndantinoFranz Schubert		Schubert’s captivating chamber piece “The Trout”
7	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement I: Allegro moderatoFranz Schubert		An inspiring symphony composed by Schubert
8	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement II: Andante con motoFranz Schubert		An orchestral work of deep lyricism and tranquil afterglow
9	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960: II. Andante sostenutoFranz Schubert		The final piano work of his life, filled with deep emotion and prayer
10	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960 – Movement 3: Allegro vivace con delicatezzaFranz Schubert		The profound emotion and beauty of Schubert’s masterpieces
11	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout” – I. Allegro vivaceFranz Schubert		Schubert’s bright and powerful chamber works
12	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “The Trout” – II. AndanteFranz Schubert		Schubert’s chamber music, elegant melodies and emotion
13	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — III. Scherzo: PrestoFranz Schubert		A song that gently portrays inner conflict and emotions
14	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — V. Finale: Allegro giustoFranz Schubert		Schubert's beautiful string quintet
15	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIFranz Schubert		Gem-like chamber music works that resonate with the heart
16	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde” – Movement IFranz Schubert		Elegant chamber music, a world of richly emotive sound
17	Erlkönig (arranged by Hector Berlioz)Franz Schubert		The Fate of Parent and Child Painted by the Demon King's Music
18	Masu Op. 32 D550Franz Schubert		The story and allure of Schubert’s masterpiece “Die Forelle” (The Trout)
19	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIIFranz Schubert		Masterpieces from the Classical to the Romantic era, graceful melodies
20	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IVFranz Schubert		Beautiful, moving chamber music
21	Die Forelle (arranged by Franz Liszt)Franz Schubert		The Trout, piano arrangement by Liszt
22	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960Franz Schubert		Emotion-rich sonatas from Schubert’s late period
23	Serenade from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert		The melancholy and beauty of Schubert's lieder
24	Wild Rose D257Franz Schubert		The famous song of Goethe’s poem “Heidenröslein” (“Wild Rose”)
25	Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959Franz Schubert		Schubert’s emotionally rich late piano sonatas
26	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout”Franz Schubert		Quintet on the Trout song theme, unusual instrumentation
27	Fantasia in C major, Op. 15, D. 760 “Wanderer”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s enigmatic fantasy, a virtuosic masterpiece
28	String Quintet in C major, D 956Franz Schubert		Schubert’s string piece with an unusual instrumentation
29	Fantasia in C major, D.760 “Wanderer”Franz Schubert		A piano piece composed by Schubert. It was so difficult that even the composer himself couldn’t play it.
30	Piano Quintet “The Trout”Franz Schubert		Composed around 1819, when Schubert was 22 years old…
31	Symphony No. 8 (9) in C major “The Great,” D. 944Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major
32	Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D 958Franz Schubert		A late masterwork piano sonata by Schubert
33	The Art Song “Erlkönig”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s “Erlkönig” is a scary masterpiece
34	Military March No. 1Franz Schubert		A beginning like a bold fanfare, huh…
35	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D 960 — Movement III: Allegro vivace con delicatezzaFranz Schubert		The profound emotion and beauty of Schubert’s masterpieces
36	Three Piano PiecesFranz Schubert		Piano Pieces from Schubert’s Late Years, Edited by Brahms
37	Three Military Marches, Op. 51, D.733 No. 1 in D majorFranz Schubert		A masterpiece by Schubert at age 21, with an impressive melody
38	Introduction and Variations on the Theme of “Withering Flowers”Franz Schubert		Variations for Flute and Piano by Schubert
39	Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 99, D. 898Franz Schubert		A masterful performance of Schubert’s Piano Trio
40	Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 100, D 929Franz Schubert		Schubert’s masterful Piano Trio
41	Winterreise, Op. 89, D. 911 No. 5 “The Linden Tree”Franz Schubert		A lovelorn youth’s winter journey, a cry from the heart
42	Night and Dreams D827Franz Schubert		Schubert’s beautiful night song
43	String Quartet No. 12 in C minor, D 703Franz Schubert		Schubert’s unfinished string quartet
44	Swan Song D957/965a No. 4 “Serenade”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Swan Song Serenade
45	To Music, Op. 88 No. 4, D 547Franz Schubert		Schubert’s moving song works
46	Wanderer FantasyFranz Schubert		Franz ..., a great composer who represents Romantic music,
47	Moments Musicaux No. 3Franz Schubert		It has even been used as a departure melody on railways...
48	Three Military Marches, D.733 Op.51 No. 1Franz Schubert		Fran…, which is frequently performed by orchestras and wind ensembles as well,
49	Impromptus, Op. 90 No. 3 in G-flat majorFranz Schubert		Franz Schu..., a composer representing the Romantic era...
50	Serenade, No. 4 from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert		When I’m feeling depressed or when I hit a wall, I listen…
51	Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D.821Franz Schubert		Franz Schubert’s “Arpeggio…”
52	Sonatina in A minorFranz Schubert		Schubert, who is known for his songs, but...
53	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony is beautiful.
54	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished,” Second MovementFranz Schubert		A warmth whose delicate tones soothe the heart
55	Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 “Unfinished”Franz Schubert		The Legend of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony
56	Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 4Franz Schubert		Captivating with its graceful melodies and richly expressive harmonies…
57	String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 “Death and the Maiden”, Fourth MovementFranz Schubert		It is said that Schubert began writing this work when...
58	wild roseFranz Schubert		Wild Rose is a poem by the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goeth…
59	Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major, D 850Franz Schubert		Piano Sonata No. 21 by Beethoven
60	String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 “Death and the Maiden”Franz Schubert		The sorrowful string quartet from Schubert’s final years
61	Sentimental Waltz, D 779 Op. 50 No. 13Franz Schubert		Franz Schubert’s “Sentimental W…”
62	Moments Musicaux D780 Op.94 No. 3Franz Schubert		The piano collection Moments Musicaux, consisting of six pieces...
63	Piano Sonata No. 18 in G major, D 894, Op. 78 “Fantasy”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Masterpiece: Fantasy Sonata No. 18
64	Symphony No. 4 in C minor “Tragic,” D 417Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Tragic Symphony at 19
65	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s dark string quartet
66	Trout (arranged by Liszt)Franz Schubert		The Trout, piano arrangement by Liszt
67	Litany for All Souls, D.343Franz Schubert		A tender and beautiful piece that Schubert set to a poem mourning the dead.
68	Death and the Maiden, D. 531Franz Schubert		A song composed by Schubert that depicts a dialogue between a young girl and the Grim Reaper.
69	On the Water, Op. 72, D. 774Franz Schubert		A beautiful song that sings of fate and the sorrows of life
70	Four Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935 No. 1 in F minorFranz Schubert		Schubert’s Impromptu of Anxiety and Hope
71	Four Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899 No. 1 in C minorFranz Schubert		Schubert’s emotionally rich masterpiece, resonating with the heart
72	Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899 No. 2 in E-flat majorFranz Schubert		Schubert’s masterpiece Impromptu, lively and beautiful
73	Four Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899 No. 3 in G-flat majorFranz Schubert		A beautiful late Schubert impromptu, with a melancholy melody
74	Wanderer’s Nightsong II, D 768Franz Schubert		A beautiful song that portrays Schubert’s silence
75	Mass No. 6 in E-flat major, D 950, No. 6 “Agnus Dei”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Mass: profound prayer and beautiful melodies
76	Symphony No. 2 in B-flat majorFranz Schubert		Schubert, a piece by a teenage prodigy
77	Symphony No. 3 in D major, D 200Franz Schubert		Schubert’s early four-movement symphonies
78	In the evening glow D799Franz Schubert		Schubert’s beautiful song of twilight
79	Swan Song D957/965aFranz Schubert		Compilation of 14 songs from Schubert’s posthumous song collection
80	Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel, D118Franz Schubert		Schubert’s songs composed to Goethe’s texts
81	Conspirator D787 – OvertureFranz Schubert		A comedic story of a woman who opposes war
82	Four Impromptus, Op. 90Franz Schubert		Beethoven undertook the refinement of the formal aspects of compositional technique...
83	Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3Franz Schubert		Franz Schubert, known for his elegant melodies, ...
84	Schubert MedleyFranz Schubert		Incorporating its free modulations and elements of program music…
85	30 Easy Minuets and Trios, No. 8Franz Schubert		“Thirty Easy Minuets and Trios” …
86	Three Ecossaises, D.816Franz Schubert		From the late 18th century to the early 19th century, Fran…
87	Three Piano Pieces (Impromptus), No. 2 in E-flat major, D 946Franz Schubert		A leading figure of American Romanticism at the end of the 19th century…
88	Impromptus, D 935 Op. 142 No. 2Franz Schubert		Speaking of Schubert’s piano pieces, this one…
89	Four Impromptus, Op. 90 No. 3Franz Schubert		Chopin, whose crystalline tones and delicate expression touch the heart...
90	Eight Landlers, D.378Franz Schubert		Schubert improvised and played in front of his friends...
91	ErlkönigFranz Schubert		Genius composer Franz, born in Austria, ...
92	Elegant Waltz, Op. 77Franz Schubert		Franz Schu..., a composer representing the Romantic era...
93	“Album Leaf” D.844 in G majorFranz Schubert		Schubert, in front of his closest friends…
94	Waltz No. 6 from “12 Waltzes, 17 Ländlers, and 9 Écossaises, D 145, Op. 18”Franz Schubert		Among Franz Schubert’s works, pi…
95	No. 13 from 34 Sentimental Waltzes, D 779 Op. 50Franz Schubert		A collection of 34 waltzes that are easy to play and approachable...
96	Serenade, No. 4 from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert		Schubert, also known as the “King of Song,” …
97	Sonata in A minor, D 821, for Arpeggione and PianoFranz Schubert		Franz Schubert in 1824 wi…
98	Allegretto in C minor, D 915Franz Schubert		Franz Schu... , known as a standard-bearer of the Romantic movement,
99	Andante in C major, D 29Franz Schubert		'Andante in C major, D 29' is from 1812...
100	Ellen’s Songs No. 3Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Ave Maria is beautiful.
101	Schubert’s LullabyFranz Schubert		Schubert’s Cradle Song is one that Schubert…
102	Schubert’s LullabyFranz Schubert		It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the most famous lullaby in the world...
103	Scherzo in B-flat major, D.593Franz Schubert		Schubert’s light waltz rhythm makes the heart…
104	SerenadeFranz Schubert		A passionate serenade is difficult for Japanese men.
105	Piano Quintet “The Trout,” Fourth MovementFranz Schubert		In the summer of 1819, I visited northern Austria…
106	Piano Sonata No. 16 in A minor, Op. 42, D. 845, First MovementFranz Schubert		The great master of Romantic music, Franz Schuber...
107	Piano Sonata No. 20, Fourth MovementFranz Schubert		"Wings" is in Nantucket, Massachusetts...
108	Minuet in A major, D 334Franz Schubert		This “Minuet in A major, D334”…
109	Waltz in A-flat major, D. 978Franz Schubert		Schubert’s set of waltzes for solo piano…
110	Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 2Franz Schubert		Schubert, within his short life of just 31 years, ...
111	Impromptu in G-flat major, Op. 90 No. 3Franz Schubert		Franz, a composer who represents the 19th-century Romantic era...
112	Impromptu in G-flat major, Op. 90 No. 3Franz Schubert		What came after Classical music was Romantic music, and...
113	Impromptus No. 3 in B-flat major, D 935, Op. 142Franz Schubert		A leading Austrian composer of the early 19th century, Fr…
114	Fantasy in C major, Op. 15, D 760 “Wanderer Fantasy”Franz Schubert		Franz Schubert’s Fantasy in C major...
115	Fantasia in C major, Op. 15, D. 760 “Wanderer Fantasy”Franz Schubert		Franz Schu..., a composer who represents the Romantic era,
116	Fantasy in F minor, Op. 103, D 940Franz Schubert		Composed in the year Franz Schubert died...
117	Demon KingFranz Schubert		A moving piece: Schubert’s masterpiece “Erlkönig”
118	Four Impromptus, D. 935, Op. 142Franz Schubert		Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
119	Piano Sonata No. 18 “Fantasy”Franz Schubert		Piano Sonata No. 18 by Franz Schubert…
120	Demon King (Easy Piano Version)Franz Schubert		From a slow melody to the tragic truth hidden behind it...
121	troutFranz Schubert		Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald...
122	SerenadeFranz Schubert		This piece, known as “Serenade,”…
123	Schubert’s Lullaby (from “I Can Play the Piano! Junior 3”)Franz Schubert		A famous work that everyone has heard of at least once...
124	Impromptu in E-flat major, Op. 90 No. 2Franz Schubert		The Four Impromptus that Schubert left in his final years...
125	Military MarchFranz Schubert		Schubert’s heroic and bright piano duet
126	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished”Franz Schubert		The unfinished work of Schubert, known as the “King of Song”…
127	Wiegenlied Schubert’s LullabyFranz Schubert		Originally German lyrics, but in Japan they are in Japanese...
128	Unfinished SymphonyFranz Schubert		Schubert’s representative work composed in 1822…
129	polite verb suffix (masu); used to make verbs polite in JapaneseFranz Schubert		It feels like musical notes are about to pop right out of the piano...
130	Impromptu No. 3, Op. 90-3Franz Schubert		The beautiful melody of Schubert’s Impromptu
131	Impromptu No. 3Franz Schubert		The piano piece that Schubert composed in 1827...
132	Fantasia in F minorFranz Schubert		An emotionally moving song that touches the heartstrings. It’s as if the stars...
133	Symphony No. 8 in C majorFranz Schubert		Composed in 1825–26, consisting of four movements…
134	Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D 821Franz Schubert		The Allure of Schubert’s Arpeggione Piece
135	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished Symphony”Franz Schubert		The Story of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony
136	Winter Journey, Op. 89, D. 911, No. 1: ‘Good Night’Franz Schubert		Overview of Schubert’s masterpiece “Winterreise”
137	Cradle Song, Op. 98 No. 2, D. 498Franz Schubert		Schubert’s Lullaby, Reminiscence of Mother
138	Fantasia, Op. 103, D. 940Franz Schubert		A late-life piano duet filled with melancholy
139	Die schöne Müllerin, Op. 25 D 795 No. 1: “Wandering”Franz Schubert		Schubert’s song cycle “Die schöne Müllerin”
140	Song cycle ‘Swan Song’ No. 4 ‘Serenade’Franz Schubert		Franz Schubert’s German lie—
141	Fantasy in C major, D 760 “Wanderer Fantasy”Franz Schubert		It is a solo piano piece published in 1822.
142	Ave MariaFranz Schubert		A song so famous for its pure and beautiful melody...
143	Piano Sonata No. 16 in A minor, D 845Franz Schubert		A representative piano sonata by Schubert at age 28