Franz Schubert

Fantasie in f minor Opus 103 - D 940 Franz Schubert

The Fantasia in F minor (Opus. 103 D. 940) by Franz Schubert is a piece originally composed for piano four-hands, in 1828 (from January to March). Premiered on May 9 by the composer himself and Franz Lachner, it was dedicated to the Countess Caroline Esterházy (his pupil). This work is among those that were published after his death by the publishing house of Anton Diabelli, in March 1829. A very interesting article by David Humphries (Something Borrowed, in "The Musical Times" Vol. 138, No. 1853 (Jul., 1997), pp. 19-24, published by Musical Times Publications LTD), gave me the opportunity to look at this score in a much deeper way. In fact the idea that this score is related much more than expected with Mozart's Fantasia K. 608 (for Mechanical Organ) has become more and more clear. And has suggested me that a possible Organ solo piece, a convincing one, starting from this relations would have been possible. My orchestration for organ, having not a fixed registration, lets the freedon to whom that may be interested on performing it on whatever instrument to explore the different color opportunities that every instrument has. I hope that this piece will also have a new life on the Organ, showing a masterpiece that on our instrument fits marveously.