Polonaise in B flat major for violin and orchestra, D. 580 – Franz Schubert

Polonaise in B flat major for violin and orchestra, D. 580 by Franz Schubert

Schubert completed this short work for orchestra in 1817 at the age of 20. Schubert was living in Vienna at the time at the house of his friend Franz von Schober. The Schober family was a wealthy one, and was comfortably able to provide lodging to Schubert while the young composer was trying to establish himself as a master musician in Europe. Schubert did not have a stable income at the time as he had resigned as a teacher at the school of his father the previous year, and his attempt at being a music teacher provided only a moderate income.

With the support of the Schober family, Schubert was able to focus on composing in 1817, with the composer being quoted as saying “I compose every morning, and when one piece is done, I begin another”. This polonaise (a Polish dance of triple time) is an example of the many light works Schubert was able to complete with the support of the Schober family.

This work is comprised of a single movement.