Schubert Impromptu - Op 90 No 2 Harmonic Analysis

minor): A final, aggressive section that firmly establishes the parallel minor. 2. Harmonic Analysis by Section Section A: The Diatonic and Chromatic Scales The main theme establishes

Before diving into specifics, it is crucial to understand Schubert’s harmonic philosophy in this piece. schubert impromptu op 90 no 2 harmonic analysis

| Feature | Example in the Piece | Effect | |---------|----------------------|--------| | | Eb → Cm → Ab → Fm | Smooth but unexpected key changes | | Enharmonic respelling | Eb major to B minor (Eb = D#) | Sudden, dramatic contrast | | Neapolitan sixth chord | Fb major (spelled Fb-Ab-Cb) in bars 55 & 185 | Chromatic color, expressive tension | | Augmented sixth chords | German (bar 14) and French (bar 105) | Intense dominant preparation | | Chromatic mediants | Eb to G major (bar 33) | Romantic, lush sound | | Abrupt juxtaposition | End of B section (F# major) to A’ section (Eb major) | Disorienting, magical return | minor): A final, aggressive section that firmly establishes

This is the most astonishing moment in Section A. The right hand plays a descending chromatic scale, but Schubert harmonizes it with a chain of diminished seventh chords . He cycles through: | Feature | Example in the Piece |

Establishing the home key of E-flat Major with scale-based triplets.

The piece begins in A-flat major, with a gentle, lilting melody in the right hand accompanied by a steady, pulsing rhythm in the left hand. The chord progression is largely diatonic, with a I-V6/4-I progression in the first four measures: