Description

Franz Schubert appears to have had a particular affinity for the key of A minor. Not only one, but three of his piano sonatas are composed in this key. The earliest of these, D 537, was written in March 1817 and marks his first completed piano sonata. It is noted for its succinct brevity. The three-movement structure omits the typical scherzo. This work is quite distinct from the dramatic nature of its A minor counterparts; its wandering modulations frequently transition to remote harmonic areas, creating a lighter atmosphere that culminates in A major – notably, the sonata concludes in this major key. Henle’s Urtext edition relies on the autograph, which is housed in the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris; a contemporary manuscript and the first posthumous edition were utilized solely for comparative analysis. The preface by Schubert scholar Andrea Lindmayr-Brandl, along with the comprehensive commentary, offers insights into the work’s development and addresses unresolved issues regarding the musical text. Additionally, the fingerings provided by esteemed Schubert interpreter Martin Helmchen enhance the value of this new edition.