Harmonic Analysis - Schubert Impromptu Op 90 No 2
Enharmonic shift; waltz-like rhythm; modulates to F-sharp minor. E-flat Major Return of initial theme. E-flat Minor Violent, minor-key ending. chord progressions or a performance guide for these sections? Impromptu in Eb major D 899/0p. 90 No 2 - Piano Syllabus
The return (bar 115) is almost identical to the opening, but perceived differently. After the harmonic chaos of B minor, the simple I-V-I of E-flat major now sounds heroic, even tragic—like a survivor smiling after a storm. schubert impromptu op 90 no 2 harmonic analysis
The frequent interplay between major and minor modes. chord progressions or a performance guide for these sections
How do we get back to E-flat major from B minor? Schuber uses an enharmonic pivot of breathtaking ingenuity. The G-sharp diminished seventh (again!) can be respelled as a C-flat diminished seventh . And C-flat is the leading tone to D-flat major, which is the Neapolitan of C, which leads to F... No, simpler: He resolves the diminished chord directly to a C-flat major chord (bar 111), which then becomes the Neapolitan of B-flat (the dominant of E-flat). After a final, shuddering B-flat 7 chord (bars 113-114), we crash-land back into the opening theme. After the harmonic chaos of B minor, the
The piece begins with an implied tonic chord (E-flat – G – B-flat) arpeggiated in triplets. However, Schubert immediately tonicizes (the dominant’s parallel minor).