Franz Schubert
Impromptu
in B-flat Major, Op. 142 No. 3

ID: 291

Impromptu Variations

The gentle theme of the B-flat major Impromptu brings to mind a beautiful Lied - a genre the composer had an immense talent for - and resembles a theme Schubert composed for the play Rosamunde. This theme is followed by an imaginative set of variations, likely modeled on Beethoven's approach to this type of work. While the theme is accessible for the intermediate pianist to play, some of the variations do present several challenges that should not be underestimated. After the first two variations, a wistful variation in B flat minor opens the way for a fourth variation in the distant key of G flat major, before Schubert effortlessly modulates back to the home key for the last, light-hearted variation, which gives way for a peaceful codetta as the piece concludes.

Background

The four Impromptus, Op. 90 (D. 899) were probably composed at least in part during the composer's stay in Dornbach in the summer of 1827, just over a year before his death. The first two went to press in late 1827; it wasn't until 1857 that Nos. 3 and 4 appeared in print.

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