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Play — Piano Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace · Franz Schubert, Gilbert Schuchter (the player loads on click)
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MusicCoach difficulty
81/100
Master repertoire
Level of the complete work
We have no level specific to this movement. The figure above is that of the complete work: within a cycle, movements often differ widely in demand.
Estimated skills
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Pedaling
Sustain pedal
1
Style
Romantic style
1
Rhythm
Tempo rubato
1
Theory
Harmonic analysis
1
Technique
Hand independence
1
Interpretation
Dynamics
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
What to play next?
Each suggestion combines difficulty gap, risk, confidence and skill overlap. The first two cards in each column are the most useful pedagogically.
Gentle step
The safest next step.
Gentle
Piano Sonata no. 17 in D minor, op. 31 no. 2, "Tempest"
Ludwig van Beethoven
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Gammes et arpèges and Demi-pédale — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Gentle
Piano Sonata no. 14 in A minor, D.784, op. posth.143
Franz Schubert
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Connaissance des formes and Indépendance des mains — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Sonata no. 1 in C minor, op. 4
Frédéric Chopin
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8). New compared with the previous piece: Ornements romantiques and Connaissance des formes — ornaments must be secure before the piece goes up to tempo, otherwise they break the line instead of decorating it.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101
Ludwig van Beethoven
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8). New compared with the previous piece: Demi-pédale and Connaissance des formes — the pedal is set by ear, note by note: misjudged, it blurs the harmony instead of joining it.
Ambitious challenge
A useful leap with guided practice.
Challenge
Piano Sonata no. 3 in F minor, op. 5
Johannes Brahms
close skills
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. The skill that will carry the work: Connaissance des formes and Indépendance des mains — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Challenge
Sonata no. 3 in B minor, op. 58
Frédéric Chopin
close skills
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Passages rapides and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Same level
Ballade No.1 in G minor Op.23
Frédéric Chopin
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Octaves and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Fantasy (Grazer Fantasie) C major D 605 A
Franz Schubert
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. The demand here is musical rather than mechanical: Phrasé — the notes will be secure long before the musical line: work in whole phrases, singing the main voice.
Same level
Impromptus Op.90 D.899
Franz Schubert
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Passages rapides — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
This Scherzo Allegro vivace juxtaposes a sprightly, bouncing scherzo with a more singing trio, calling for crisp articulation and a buoyant touch rather than flashy virtuosity. Connaissance des formes (3.6/5): you will need to recognize the ternary scherzo–trio–scherzo layout to handle repeats and internal return points, shaping the transitions and repeats accordingly; Pédale de sustain (3.1/5): pedaling must be economical and precise, timed to the rhythmic units to prevent blurring of rapid figures while still supporting the trio’s melodic lines. The movement is part of Schubert’s late piano sonatas and functions as a bright contrasting episode within that cycle, reflecting his mix of classical forms and lyrical invention. I am omitting recommended recordings here to avoid suggesting a reference I cannot cite with complete certainty.