Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 02/11/2015, uploaded on 06/30/2015

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

In May 1968, a manuscript of a Fantasie signed by Josef Hüttenbrenner was found in the attic of 14 Parkstrasse in Knittelfeld, Austria. The two-story stucco house belonged to the great-nephew of Hüttenbrenner who was a friend, supporter and copyist of Schubert’s. Walter Durr, from the Schubert Center of the University of Tubingen, suggests that Schubert himself composed the work after he studied the manuscript in Graz (which is how this fantasy came to be known as the “Grazer”). While no irrefutable authentication can be made of this work, there are certainly Schubertian characteristics throughout. Despite the prevailing charm of Schubert in melody and harmony, there are hints of Chopin in this work, which features a polonaise.

The opening Moderato con espressione begins with a gentle Schubertian theme, which progresses to a brisk and extended middle section featuring a polish dance – Alla polacca. The lyrical opening theme makes appearances throughout the dance, which modulates through unusual and distant tonal areas. The dance builds in excitement but eventually returns to the serene opening theme, which closes the work.

Notes by David Fung

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.