Schubert Impromptu Op 90 No 2 Harmonic Analysis | Android AUTHENTIC |

The opening subject is characterized by a "looping" and "grouping" of scale-based triplets. While it begins in a bright E-flat major, Schubert quickly introduces a darker undercurrent.

If Section A was a walk through a pleasant park with sudden gusts of wind, Section B is a plunge into a frozen lake. Schubert does something radical: he abandons E-flat major entirely for key that is harmonically distant: . schubert impromptu op 90 no 2 harmonic analysis

Though technically prepared as if it were in C-flat Major (the flattened submediant of E-flat), it is enharmonically written in B minor , a distant and striking key choice. Phrase Structure: The opening subject is characterized by a "looping"

Final cadence in Eb major. Notice the brief touch of bII (Fb major = E major? No – it’s a Neapolitan in Eb?) Wait – careful: At bar 55, there is a sudden F-flat major chord (spelled Fb-Ab-Cb). This is the Neapolitan of Eb ( N = Fb major ). But since Fb is enharmonic to E, it sounds like an E major chord crashing in – an abrupt, shocking color. It resolves deceptively through Cb (enharmonic to B) to Bb7 (V7) and back to I. Schubert does something radical: he abandons E-flat major

The recapitulation returns to the home key of A-flat major, with a restatement of the opening theme. However, Schubert adds a few harmonic twists to keep the listener engaged. For example, in measure 57, a V9 chord (E-flat major 9th) with a sharp 9th (F#) creates a subtle sense of dissonance, which is later resolved.

mm. 1-4: I - IV - I - IV (A-flat major - D-flat major - A-flat major - D-flat major)