Impromptu, Op. 90, D. 899, No. 3 in G♭ major – Franz Schubert

Impromptu, Op. 90, D. 899, No. 3 in G♭ major by Franz Schubert

Schubert completed a series of eight solo impromptus for piano in 1827, a year before his death in November 1828. It was a productive year for Schubert, not only completing these 8 pieces for piano but also composing two Piano Trios, the Fantasy for Violin and piano and approximately 30 other works.

The eight impromptus were to be separated into two sets, each containing four pieces. The first and second piece from the first set were published in 1827 as his Op. 90. The four pieces in the second set were published in 1839, ad the third and fourth piece from the first set was published in 1857.

Short introspective piano pieces were becoming a popular format in the 1820’s as seen in the works of composer such as Cramer, Czerny, and Liszt. The pieces in this collection by Schubert have a more rigid structure (despite the name) than was normally seen in an impromptu of this time.