Studies Of Schubert's Last Three Piano Sonatas

D958(c minor), D959(A major) and D960(B flat major), which are the last three piano sonatas composed by Franz Schubert, are investigated in this thesis.Firstly, a survey of Schubert's piano sonatas is made in this paper. The author holds that there're 20 pieces of piano sonatas that are realistic in significance to piano performance. Secondly, Schubert's piano sonatas are divided into three phases, and the characteristics for each phase are treated. The thesis also gives introduction to the social background behind the last three piano sonatas, which includes the important incidents that influenced Schubert's composition in the last two years of his life.On the basis of the analysis of the scores, the author makes conclusions about the characteristics of Schubert's last three piano sonatas as followings:1) The device of universal development in the movements composed in sonata form and rondo-sonata form is the most distinctive feature in the last three sonatas, which is also decisive in the trend of the whole movement and makes the developments relatively "still".2) In the device of themes, the method of irregularity is preferred. However, By using extension, abbreviation, repetition and further repetition of periods, Schubert brings those themes to ingenious balance in both architectonics and aesthetics.3) Chain method is applied in the connection of themes, in which the previous material is taken as basis and then modified together with the variations of new materials. By this way, the theme is continuously developed.4) The principle of the dominant-subordinate is followed in Schubert's three-key exposition, and the process of each key is extended. There is usually a 3rd -key added in the opening of the second theme, and sometimes a new theme is composed. Then, the subordinate key is reached before the end of exposition.5) Silence of one whole bar is frequently utilized, which not only brings profound expressive significance, but also is important to the architectonics of these sonatas.6) The harmonization in the variation, which is the method of applying different keys to the same melody, is handled in those Andante movements. By this way, the same melody appears in variable colors of harmony, which can not only avoid dull repetition, but also keep the lyrical nature and the completeness of melody.7) Chromatic method is applied in the periods of development, and chromatic深层线条becomes the provident feature in some periods of development.8) Atlas motive is put to use in c minor and A major sonatas, and a lot of "sigh" tones and c sharp minor are both preferred in those three sonatas.9) The emotional factor of "wanderer" is the roots of thoughts for the intense conflict of music.