Schubert Sonata in B flat D960

Schubert (1797-1828) Sonata in B flat D960

The last year of Schubert's life was marked by growing public acclaim for the composer's smaller works (none of his symphonies were performed in his lifetime), but also by a marked deterioration of health. On March 26, 1828, together with other musicians, Schubert gave a public concert of his own works, which was a great success and earned him a considerable profit. In addition, two new German publishers took an interest in his works, leading to a short period of financial well-being. However, by the time the summer months arrived, Schubert was again short of money and had to cancel some journeys he had previously planned.

Schubert had been struggling with syphilis since 1822, and suffered from weakness, headaches and dizziness. However, he seems to have led a relatively normal life until September 1828, when his symptoms worsened, forcing him to move from the Vienna home of his friend Franz von Schober to his brother Ferdinand's house in the suburbs. This seems to have actually worsened his condition, but up until the last weeks of his life in November 1828, he continued to compose an extraordinary amount of music, including the three last piano sonatas of which this is the final one.

Schubert probably began sketching the sonatas sometime around the spring months of 1828; the final versions were written in September. These months also saw the appearance of the String Quintet and the songs published posthumously as the Schwanengesang collection, among others. The final sonata was completed on September 26, and two days later, Schubert played from the sonata trilogy at an evening gathering in Vienna. In a letter to Probst (one of his publishers), dated October 2, 1828, Schubert mentioned the sonatas amongst other works he had recently completed and wished to publish. However, Probst was not interested in the sonatas, and Schubert died less than two months later.