Schubert Impromptu | Op 90 No 2 Harmonic Analysis

Schubert — Impromptu in E-flat major, Op. 90 No. 2: Harmonic Analysis and Listening Guide

Introduction

B minor

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: .

Key: E-flat major
Form: Broadly ternary (A–B–A′) with internal subdivisions and a brief codetta
Primary features: strong I–V–I confirmations, frequent chromatic neighbor and mediant shifts, expressive use of applied chords, diminished-seventh color, and a warm return to tonic with subtle alterations on the reprise
Character: singing melody over broken‑chord accompaniment; harmonic pivots used to expand warmth and bittersweet poignancy

mm. 25-28: V7/E-flat - E-flat minor - A-flat major (E-flat dominant 7th - E-flat minor - A-flat major) schubert impromptu op 90 no 2 harmonic analysis

m. 1: I (Ab major) - 3rd inversion (Ab - C - Eb) m. 2: V6/4 (Eb major) - 2nd inversion (Eb - G - Bb) m. 3: I (Ab major) - root position (Ab - C - Eb) m. 4: I (Ab major) - 1st inversion (C - Eb - Ab) Schubert — Impromptu in E-flat major, Op