Franz Schubert
Sonata 21
in B-flat Major, D. 960
Written only months before Schubert's death, the B-Flat Sonata is a work of vast dimensions and vertiginous depths, that easily strikes the listener as a kind of communication from the beyond, both melancholy and comforting.
Year: 1828
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: Scanned score 
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Schubert's Farewell Address
The long lyrical themes of this sonata take time to unfold – the first movement of the B-flat major sonata averages about twenty minutes if the exposition repeat is taken, which is as long as many complete sonatas. It is calm and lyrical, and features an unusual and mysterious recurring trill in the low register. The second movement has a sad theme with a very special accompaniment figure covering a large part of the keyboard. The Scherzo is comparatively short and lightens the mood considerably. The last movement is again quite enigmatic and ambiguous, starting with a strong octave on G coming out of nowhere, and then alternating between a peaceful, easy going dance, singing melodies and shocking chordal eruptions.Background
This sonata is the last thing that Schubert composed for solo piano. He finished it in the fall of 1828, probably either the month he died or the previous month. Neither this nor the other two last sonatas were published until ten years after Schubert's death, and continued to be neglected during most of the 19th century. Now, Schubert's sonatas, and the last three in particular, are generally recognized as being among the most profound and important works of the genre.Forum posts about this piece:
Schubert's B flat Sonata, in about 24 hours by robertus
I'm due to play this piece.....I played it years ago, and it went down well then. But now I'm worried that it will bore people to death, especially in the 2nd movement. Anyone here have...
Schubert's late sonatas by billym
Hi everyone, I am curious about Schubert's late sonatas. I have only listened to them a few times each and I am struggling to understand them, in the way I have connected with many compositions Beethoven,...
Schubert piano sonata in B flat by tinyhands
This Radio programme was on this morning, it’s a great programme about how pieces of music have shaped peoples’ lives. Today was Schubert piano sonata in B flat, I have always loved this and found it so...
Identifying these two pieces by xizaf
Can someone please help identify these pieces?
Question about Schubert Sonata d.960 by mishamalchik
So I'm (pending teacher approval) working on Schubert sonata d.960, and I checked out an edition in the student music library. This edition states the following: "The present edition of...
Schubert D960 Paul Badura-Skoda by irrational
I was wondering if anyone here has the recording where Badura-Skoda plays the D960 on the Conrad Graf fortepiano, Steinway and Bosendorfer (Genuin label). I am very interested in the differences between...
Schubert B-flat sonata help needed (Not urgent) by aewanko
Specifically the 2nd movement. The middle section, how do I deal with it in general? --------------------- If you don't help me now...
Re: Music that has brought tears to your eyes by Motrax
The closest I've come to tears when listening to music (call me hard-hearted if you will :P) was a live performance of Stravinsky's Firebird with the New York City ballet. That performance both...
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This piece is composed by Franz Schubert and was published in 1828. Title: Sonata 21, D. 960 in B-flat Major from Sonatas. The difficulty level if graded by ABRSM would be approximately 8+ and it belongs to the Early Romantic period.