Franz Schubert is one of the Romantic era's most celebrated figures. Before passing away at only 31 years old, he wrote more than 1,500 pieces, touching everything from orchestral and chamber music to art songs and solo piano compositions.

Schubert's piano works, though less known than his symphonies and Lieder, are great to explore. They are rich and deeply expressive, providing pianists with a great opportunity to develop their melodic touch and emotional range while immersing themselves in the extraordinary talents of a remarkable composer.

Read on to discover eight of Schubert's best piano pieces, all of which are available to learn with the flowkey app.

1. The Trout

The sound of a bubbling stream

As one of the most charming works in Schubert's catalog, "The Trout" evokes images of a gently bubbling stream teeming with fish. Originally composed as a Lied (or song) for solo voice and piano, "The Trout" was later adapted for the graceful fourth movement of Schubert's Piano Quintet in A major.

flowkey’s arrangement of "The Trout" is available at three difficulty levels. The easy version is the only Schubert piece for beginners in flowkey's library, so if you're not sure where to begin with the composer, this simple, gentle piece is an excellent introduction to his body of work.

2. Ecossaise No. 8

A lively piece for players of most levels

"Ecossaise No. 8" ramps up the tempo. It's a lively piece named after a popular turn-of-the-century style of dance, and the charm is in its simplicity, its repeated figures and a relaxed left-hand accompaniment suitable for players of most skill levels. 

The key is not to rush the piece's tempo, but instead allow it to flow naturally, capturing the grace and composure of the ecossaise. Try your best to maintain a playful and bright tone, playing the right-hand's repeated phrases with balance and consistency.

3. Serenade

A stirring right-hand melody

The breathtaking "Serenade" is taken from Schubert's Schwanengesang, a collection of 14 songs written towards the end of his life, published posthumously and later arranged for solo piano by Franz Liszt. "Ständchen", or "Serenade", is the collection's fourth piece.

"Serenade"'s stirring right-hand melody should sing out above the left-hand chords when played correctly, but you'll need to ensure you've mastered those chords before you can give that melody your full attention. Once you've grasped both parts independently, ensure both hands blend together to create a seamless, flowing texture.

4. Allegro Moderato - Symphony No. 8

One of music's great mysteries

Often referred to as the "Unfinished Symphony", Schubert started Symphony No. 8 in 1822, but didn't get it finished. Why Schubert left it incomplete is one of classical music's great mysteries. Many have speculated that this was due to the composer's failing health, while others suggested he may have felt overshadowed by Beethoven's extraordinary talent for symphony-writing, and abandoned the piece in frustration.

"Allegro Moderato" takes on a portion of Symphony No. 8's first movement. In flowkey's intermediate version, the right hand plays chords while the left handles our melody. For beginners, this reversal may present a challenge in itself, but is nonetheless a great way to improve hand independence. Practice articulating the central motif with as much clarity as you can muster — this should work wonders for your left hand.

5. Der Lindenbaum - Winterreise

The sound of winter

Winterreise is set to a collection of poems by German poet Wilhelm Muller, and has become one of Schubert's best-loved collections. The fifth of 24 pieces, "Der Lindenbaum" pairs a wistful mood with descending flurries of notes that bring to mind a snowy blizzard. It's fitting for a collection exploring themes of loss, despair, and the harshness of winter.

At flowkey's pro level, "Der Lindenbaum"'s furious triplets take some patience to master. Grasping the notes on the page is one thing, but executing them with the grace and lightness demanded by the piece is another. As always, it pays to practice slowly and deliberately, gradually increasing the tempo only when you feel comfortable. When learning with the flowkey app, make sure to use the Slow Motion feature, where you can play reduced speed (50 or 75 percent) to get comfortable with a piece

6. Ave Maria

Schubert's most famous piece

Undoubtedly Schubert's most famous work, "Ave Maria" was originally written for voice and piano as part of his Ellens Gesang III, a setting of seven songs from Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady of the Lake. Even those that have yet to be introduced to the wonders of Schubert will likely recognize this tune.

Seamlessly blending the piece's melody with the chordal accompaniment — both played by the right hand — can feel like a challenge, and can cause a little confusion at first. The key is making sure the top notes ring out with definition, while remaining cohesive with the steady two-note chords that anchor the piece's rhythm.

7. Moment Musicaux No. 3

Mischievous energy

A collection of six brief pieces for solo piano, Six Moments Musicaux is one of Schubert's most commonly performed works — and "No. 3" is its most memorable highlight. Infused with a sprightly, almost mischievous energy, the piece requires sharp focus and nimble fingers. 

flowkey's intermediate version of "Moment Musicaux No. 3" is an accessible piece for beginners, while the pro version presents more advanced players with an opportunity to practice nuanced dynamic control and smooth, coherent phrasing. Building up to the given tempo will take some focused practice, but you'll be rewarded: this piece is a joy to perform once mastered.

8. Impromptu No. 1

Elegance written for solo piano

This is the first of Schubert's Impromptus, a set of eight pieces for solo piano that are considered companions to the previously mentioned Six Moments Musicaux. "Impromptu No. 1" is stately and elegant, testament to Schubert's gift for writing melodies that burrow into your subconscious and remain there forever.

"Impromptu No. 1" journeys through a range of emotions in its ABA structure, its whisper-quiet opening theme ultimately giving way to rippling arpeggios and triplet chords, before coming back around to state the theme once more with feeling. One of the longest Schubert pieces in flowkey's library, it provides the chance to practice maintaining focus consistently throughout a complex musical narrative.

Start learning with the flowkey app

All these Franz Schubert songs – and more – are available to learn with the flowkey app. You'll also have access to a whole library of beautiful piano arrangements spanning a range of genres, including, classical, pop, video game music, and more. Download the flowkey app and start learning today.