Schubert traveled to Zseliz, Hungary, twice, in 1818 and 1824, to teach piano to the two daughters of Count Esterházy. During these visits, he composed many piano duets for both educational and recreational purposes.

This four-hand piano sonata, known as the "Grand Duo", composed in July 1824, is one such work. However, rather than being a lighthearted duet, it is a large-scale, four-movement work with a symphonic structure. At the time, piano duets were increasingly performed in public concerts, so Schubert might have envisioned its performance in such settings.

In any case, due to the work's grand scale and majesty, Robert Schumann (1810-56) regarded it as a symphonic work. Indeed, the violinist Joseph Joachim (1831-1907), who was familiar with Schubert's works, orchestrated this piece in 1855.