Lugansky - Schubert Impromptus, Op. 142, No. 3 & No. 4

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Four impromptus, D935 (Op. posth. 142), No.3 & No. 4 (1827)
Nikolai Lugansky, 2016
Mariinsky Theatre


Impromptu No. 3 in B♭ major

[0:00] Thema. Andante -
[1:50] Var. I
[3:18] Var. II
[4:45] Var. III. B♭ minor
[7:25] Var. IV. G♭ major
[9:30] Var. V. B♭ major
[10:56] Coda. Più lento

[12:10] Impromptu No. 4 in F minor


“…Schubert may, in fact, have had something much larger in mind when he composed D. 935: Robert Schumann suggested that the key sequence of the four pieces…formed a sonata in all but name. There is a markedly greater degree of overall unity among these Impromptus than we find in the more disparate first series, D. 899, and Schumann's observation is further strengthened by the unmistakable motivic associations between Nos. 1 and 4 -- a quality often associated with the opening and closing movements of a sonata. However, it is easy for this line of thought to become strained, and, whatever Schubert's intentions may have been, the urgent, driving rhythms and decorative melodic style found in these four pieces aligns them with the first popular examples of the Impromptu genre, written in Hungary during the 1820s.” - Rovi Staff


Op. 142 -    • Schubert  

No. 1 in F minor. Allegro moderato
No. 2 in A♭ major. Allegretto
No. 3 in B♭ major. Theme. Andante - Variations
No. 4 in F minor. Allegro scherzando