Impromptu No.3 in G Flat Major is from a set of four Impromptus D.899 written by Franz Schubert in 1827. There is also a second set of four Impromptus (D.935) written by Schubert that were not published until after his death. In fact Schubert died in 1828, so these pieces were composed towards the end of his life. Impromptu No.3 was written right at the cusp of the transition from the Classical era of music, to the Romantic era, although Schubert is generally considered to be a Romantic composer. Schubert wrote many other piano works, as well as the eight Impromptus mentioned above.

As Schubert is considered to be a composer of the Romantic era, and his work was written right at the point of transition from Classical to Romantic; his music features a lot of very Classical stylistic features, as well as demonstrating the progression forward into the Romantic style of composition. Romantic music tended to use more passionate contrasts, lyrical melodies, less formal structure, development of more complex harmonies, greater use of sustaining pedal, wider range of the keyboard etc. “Classical” in this context is not to be confused with a common use of the term “classical” which often covers Western art music in general, including the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and twentieth century periods of music.

This beautiful composition consists of a lyrical, tender melody in the treble part which sings out above gently bubbling broken chordal accompaniments and occasional passionate, emphatic statements in the bass. Very low bass trills appear at times, introducing a dramatic darkness to the sound.

This has always been one of my favourite pieces of piano music to play, and I hope you have enjoyed listening to it as much as I have enjoyed playing it. 

I recorded this video in June 2016.

You can listen to one of my own Impromptus here:

Impromptu in G Minor — Improvisation in Harmonic Minor, Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian & Dorian ♯4

Here is a selection of more recordings of Romantic music played by me: Romance No.1, Romance No.2 and Fantasy Dance – all three were composed by Robert Schumann, who was a slightly later composer than Schubert.
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