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I am almost finished with my current sonatina by Beethoven and I have been reading about Schubert's music and I though it was high time I learned one his compositions I have the sheet music for his Schwanengesang, one of my dream pieces, but I think it is probably a little too demanding for me at present even with my teacher's guidance. I recently fell in love with his "Litany for all the Souls", but again I have a feeling that Liszt's adaptation might be a little much for me. Does anyone have suggestions for a good first Schubert piece, I am not sure exactly what level I am, but I have learned: Chopin's Waltz in A minor, his Prelude in E minor, and the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata among other pieces. Thanks!

Here is a couple. Since you like Schwanengesang, start with #7. I have this one in my list to learn and downloaded the music not too long ago..

Here is valentina playing it..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iotQkDWiwCs

Then down the road the impromtu op.90 no.3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkqDEh-fXVI

Listen to those and see if you like them...

Hi Irene,
I do not know what sheet music of Liszt's transcription you have got, but there is a simplified version of the Standchen, which was published simultaneously with "full version". This simplified version is available alone in Alfred's "Liszt - 21 selected piano works" or together with "full version" in Editio Musica Budapest - Liszt Transcriptions VI.
The Easiest Schubert's Impromptu seems to be 142/2.
If you love Schubert's Ave Maria, there is a solo piano version (not that extreme insane Liszt transcription). It is on two pages - search for Carl Fischer - Schubert Ave Maria for piano solo. I think it is interpreted on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXyzIJNBuLg

You might try listening to and/or reading through some of the easier pieces on this list: http://www.pianoworld.com/Uploads/files/Graded_Pieces_Sorted_By_Difficulty.PDF

I imagine http://pianostreet.com also has a pretty comprehensive (if not the entire piano output) list of grades for Schubert's pieces.

I'm currently finishing off Liszt's easy transcription of Ständchen prior to taking on the full thing. I think it might be a stretch.

His Scherzo in Bb is very popular and easier than any of his Impromptus and maybe a tad easier than Moments Musicaux 1, 2 and 6 though not as easy as his Landler and Waltzes. The ABRSM has it at grade 5.

Here's a very competent amateur performance giving a better indication of tempo than any of the pro versions I can find on YouTube. This is about the tempo I play it at. I also have a CD of Ronan O'Hora doing it about this tempo.


The video names it incorrectly as being in B but it's B flat.