hank Archive

Schubert began his eight pieces titled ‘Impromptu’ in the summer and autumn of 1827; they were completed by December. He issued the first two numbers of the series (in C minor and E-flat Major) in …

Beethoven composed five works for the relatively unusual form of string trio, violin, viola, and cello. His first two works in this form, opus 3 and opus 8, are in the character of divertimentos, popular …

Many years ago, when a young German composer approached the task of writing symphonies, it was impossible to work outside the shadow of Beethoven. Brahms himself summed up the problem by stating, “You will never …

Within the three movements of Franz Schubert’s “Arpeggione” Sonata in A minor, D. 821, are poignant melodies from the great master of the lieder set alongside sparkling virtuosic passages. The sonata is a satisfying piece …

Franz Schubert left us more than 600 songs. Among these is the Staendchen or “Serenade”. What wonderful, lyrical sounds these are, often expressing the tragedies in the composer’s life and his death at age 31. …