Franz Schubert’s Piano Sonata in C Major, D 840, commonly known as the “Reliquie,” is a fascinating work marked by its intriguing blend of completed and unfinished sections. Composed in 1825, the sonata showcases Schubert's mastery of lyrical melodies and harmonic innovation. The first movement, Allegro, is characterized by its expansive, singable themes and a rich, unfolding structure that reflects Schubert’s typical warmth and inventiveness. This movement presents a classical sonata form but with Schubert's unique touch, including a poignant second theme that contrasts beautifully with the robust opening theme.
The second movement, Andante, follows with a tender, reflective character. This movement reveals Schubert’s deep lyrical sensitivity, featuring a flowing melody that carries a sense of wistful nostalgia. The contrasting middle section introduces a more dramatic, introspective character before the return of the serene main theme, which is gently reintroduced with subtle variations.
However, the sonata remains incomplete, with Schubert leaving the third and fourth movements unfinished. Neil Crossland, a contemporary composer known for his stylistic fidelity to the early Romantic period, has completed these missing movements. Crossland’s completions respect Schubert's harmonic language and thematic development, crafting the third movement, Allegro vivace, as a lively, buoyant scherzo that seamlessly fits the character of the earlier movements. The fourth movement, Allegro, concludes the sonata with a vigorous, yet still reflective, coda that ties together the thematic material of the earlier sections with Schubertian grace.
Crossland’s additions bring a satisfying closure to this unfinished masterpiece, offering listeners a glimpse of what might have been had Schubert completed the sonata.
