Impromptu in A-flat major Op. 90 No. 4 (D. 899)

Franz Schubert · Level 5 (Advanced) · Romantic · Piano

The last of the four Impromptus Op. 90 (1827): rippling cascades of descending arpeggios, a melody rising in the left hand, then a dark, passionate trio in C-sharp minor. A piece by Schubert, master of the Lied, whose piano writing sings like a voice. A♭ major, 3/4, 277 bars (about 14 minutes), complete score.

▶ Play this piece with the interactive score

How to practise it

• Listen first: the site plays it while the score scrolls.
• Wait mode: the score waits for you at every note, at your own pace.
• Tempo challenge: play in time, with a score and a map of the bars you got right.
• Keep the right-hand arpeggios light and even, almost whispered; the left hand carries the melody and must sing. Let the melody sing and keep the accompaniment very steady and light. Key signature with 4 flats: name them aloud before playing and spot the places where accidentals cancel them. One hand sometimes plays two voices: hold the long notes for their full value and let the main line sing louder than the accompaniment.

More pieces by Franz Schubert

• Hungarian Melody in B minor (D. 817)
• Impromptu in F minor Op. 142 No. 1 (D. 935)
• Moment Musical No. 3 in F minor (D. 780)
• Impromptu in C minor Op. 90 No. 1 (D. 899)
• Impromptu in G-flat major Op. 90 No. 3 (D. 899)
• Trois Marches militaires (D.733-1 (Op. 51))
• Trois Marches militaires (D.733-2 (Op. 51))
• Trois Marches militaires (D.733-3 (Op. 51))

Source : Mutopia Project · Public Domain