Piano Sonata No. 18 in G Major

The contented sense of wonderment and spiritual serenity of Schubert’s Piano Sonata D. 894 (1826) held a special appeal for contemporary listeners, as—in contrast to many of his piano works—it appeared in print within six months of completion. Although Schubert clearly marked his original manuscript Sonata, his publisher came up with the more eye-catching title of Fantasy, Andante, Menuetto, and Allegretto. The relative lack of strong contrast and tension normally associated with sonata form creates the beguiling impression of the opening Molto moderato walking on air. The following Andante contrasts music of poetic serenity with a pair of livelier episodes, while the Menuetto, cast unexpectedly in the minor mode, resembles a rustic German dance, compared to which the dreamily reflective central trio sounds as though it is coming from another world. The finale is higher spirited in nature, its various ideas flowing seamlessly together, creating the magical sensation of the music being extemporised as it goes along.