Schubert: Sonata In A Minor (Arpeggione), D. 821/Barenreiter

Category: Viola and Piano ** Composer: Schubert, Franz ** Title: Sonata in A Minor (Arpeggione), D. 821 ** Publisher: Barenreiter Verlag URTEXT ** Difficulty: ASTA Grade 6.

Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata in A Minor was composed in 1824, when Schubert was completely broke, suffering from syphilis, and frequently lapsing into depression. The Arpeggione had been invented the previous year -- basically it was a 6 stringed musical instrument with frets and tuning like a guitar, but it was bowed. By the time the sonata was published in 1871, the arpeggione was no longer around, so the piece has primarily been played on cello and viola. Transcription for these instruments has been particularly tricky, however, due to the difference in range and articulation in the instruments. As a result, this piece is particularly challenging to play on modern 4 string instruments. Despite this, the quality and expressiveness of this sonata certainly makes mastering this work worthwhile.