Schubert: Piano Sonata Nos. 19 & 23

On this CD:

1. Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major ("Gasteiner"), D. 850 (Op. 53)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Artur Schnabel

2. Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D. 960
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Artur Schnabel

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466: I. Allegro
Sonata No. 13 in E Flat Major, Op. 27/1 (Quasi Fan Fantasia): I. ... - Josef Bulva
Sonata No. 13 in E Flat Major, Op. 27/1 (Quasi Fan Fantasia): II. ... - Josef Bulva
Momemnt Musical No. 3 (Air Russe)/D. 780 for Piano
Rondo Brillante, Op. 62 - Peter Schmalfuss
Sonata No. 16 in C Major, For Piano, K. 546 (Sonata Facile): I. ... - Peter Schmalfuss
Sonata No. 16 in C Major, For Piano, K. 546 (Sonata Facile): III. ... - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Sonata in B Minor, L. 263 - Peter Schmalfuss
Sonata in F Major, Op. 24 for Piano and Violin (Frs Sonata ...) - Nora Chastain, Friedemann Rieger
Piano Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII: II. Rondo All'ongharese, ...
Waltz in G Minor, K. 586 - Isabel Mourao
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: III. Rondo Vivace - Peter Schmalfuss

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 19: I. Allegro Con Brio - Peter Schmalfuss
Sonata No. 17 in B Flat Major, K. 570: Allegretto - Josef Bulva
No. 2-4, From "Ller", Op. 171 - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Sonata in D Major, L. 424 - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B Flat Major, K. 595: III. Allegro - Peter Schmalfuss,
Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata): III. Allegro Ma ... - Josef Bulva
Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65 - Josef Bulva
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503: Andante - Carmen Piazzini
For Elise, Woo 59
Piano Concerto No. 15 in B Flat Major, K. 450: I. Allegro - Carmen Piazzini

Average customer rating:

Night Music Vol.2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Ste: Morning - CSSR State PO/Gunzenhauser
None But The Lonely Heart - Peter Nagy
Con Grosso Op. 6, No. 8: Sicilliano - Capella Istropolitana/Kopelman
Unfinished Sym: Andante Con Moto - Slovak PO/Halasz
Pno Con No. 1: Romance/Larghetto - Szekely
Andante Espressivo - Balazs Szokolay
Lodron Night Music: Adagio - Capella Istropolitana/Sobotka
L'Estro Armonico Op. 3, No. 11: Largo - Capella Istropolitana/Kopelman
Song Of The Volga Boatmen - Nishizak/Harden
Cl Con: Adagio - Luptacik
Ste in g: Sarabande - Capella Istropolitana/Dvorak
Waldstein Son: Molto Adagio - Jeno Jando
The Enchanted Lake - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Cradle Song - CSSR State PO/Gunzenhauser
Spring Song - Balazs Szokolay
Water Music: Air - Capella Instropolitana/Warchal
Sym No. 34: Andante - Capella Instropolitana/Wordsworth
Ser Melancolique - Honda
'Raindrop' Prld - Irina Zaritzkaya
Gymnopedie II - CSR SO (Bratislava)/Lenard
Con Op. 3, No.2: Larghetto - Capella Instropolitana/Kopelman
'American' Qt: Lento - Moyzes Qt
Pno Con No.2: Adagio - Vladar
Brandenburg Con No.2: Andante - Capella Instropolitana/Warchal
'Spring' Son: Adagio Molto Espressivo - Nishizaki/Jando
Le Cid: Andalouse - CSR SO/Clark
Souvenir in D - Balazs Szokolay
Son No. 1: Grave - Kejmar

Tracks:

L'Arlesienne Ste No.2: Pastorale - Slovak PO/Bramall
Con In F: Largo - Hoelblingova/Hoelbling/Jablokov
Sym No.5 in B Flat: Andante Con Moto - Slovak PO/Halasz
Fl Con No.1 in G: Adagio Non Troppo - Weissberg/Capella Istropolitana/Sieghart
La Plus Que Lente - Balazs Szokolay
Hungarian Dance No.11 - Budapest SO/Bogar
Fl Con No.11 in C: Largo - Capella Istropolitana/Edlinger
Seven Last Words Of Christ: Largo I - Kodaly Qt
Pno Con No. 3 in c: Largo - Vladar
Xerxes: Larghetto - Capella Istropolitana/Edlinger
Songs My Mother Taught Me: Gypsy Song No.4 - Nishizaki/Harden
Singurd Jorsalfar: Borghild's Dream - Czecho-Slovak State PO/Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Clair De Lune - CSR SO/Keith Clark
Pno Son No.14 in c: Andante - Jeno Jando
'O Haupt Voll Blut Und Wunden' - Capella Istropolitana/Edlinger
Sym No.83 in g: 'The Hen': Andante - Capella Istropolitana/Wordsworth
Vn Con in D, Op.61: Larghetto - Nishizaki
Albumblatt, Op.99: Ziemlich Langsam - Stefan Vladar
The Swan Of Tuonela, Op.22, No.3 - CSR SO (Bratislava)/Schermerhorn
Four Seasons: Winter: Largo - Nishizaki
Str Qt in B flat: 'The Hunt'-Adagio - Moyzes Qt
Pno Con in a, Op.16: Adagio - Jando
Water Music: Loure - Capella Istropolitana/Warchal
Pno Trio No. 1 in E flat: Andante Grazioso - Kiss/Onczay/Prunyi
Gymnopedie I - CSR SO (Bratislava)/Lenard
The Seasons: March - Ilona Prunyi
Ste No.5 in g, BWV 1070: Aria - Capella Istropolitana/Dvorak

Tracks:

Sleeping Beauty: Adagio 'Pas D' Action' - CSR SO (Bratslavia)/Lenard
Pno Son No.17 in d 'Tempest': Adagio - Jeno Jando
Lt Con in D: Largo - Sarkoezi/Dall' Arco CO/Parkanyi
Sym No.35 in C: Andante - Capella Istropolitana/Wordsworth
Cn Con No.7 in e: Adagio - Nishizaki
Prld No.2 - Irina Zaritzkaya
Berceuse - CSR SO (Bratslavia)/Clark
Ste No.2 in b: Ov - Capella Istropolitana/Dvorak
Seven Last Words Of Christ: Grave - Kodaly Qt
Pno Con No.14 in E flat: Andante - Jando
Con Grosso Op.6 No.8 in c: Grave - Capella Istropolitana/Kopelman
Sadko: Hindu Song - Nishizaki/Harden
La Terrasse Des Audiences Du Clair De Lune - CSR SO (Bratslavia)/Lenard

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Piano Sonata Nos. 19 & 23

Manufacturer: Arkadia: the 78's
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005O7B
Release Date: 2000-09-30

Tracks:

Pno Son No.19 (17) in D. D.850: Allegro Vivace
Pno Son No.19 (17) in D. D.850: Con Moto
Pno Son No.19 (17) in D. D.850: Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Pno Son No.19 (17) in D. D.850: Rond: Allegro Vivace
Pno Son No.23 (21) in B flat. D.960: Molto Moderato
Pno Son No.23 (21) in B flat. D.960: Andante Sostenuto
Pno Son No.23 (21) in B flat. D.960: Scherzo: Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Pno Son No.23 (21) in B flat. D.960: Allegro Ma Non Troppo-Presto

Average customer rating:

The voice of God, but this one's for the fans...
David Oistrakh Endures

David Oistrakh in Prague

Manufacturer: Praga
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000HXHP
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 5 In F, Op. 24 'Spring': l. Allegro
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 5 In F, Op. 24 'Spring': ll. Adagio molto espressivo
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 5 In F, Op. 24 'Spring': lll. Scherzo: allegro molto
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 5 In F, Op. 24 'Spring': lV. Rondo: allegro ma non troppo
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 1 In G Major, Op. 78: l. Vivace ma non troppo
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 1 In G Major, Op. 78: ll. Adagio
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 1 In G Major, Op. 78: lll. Allegro molto moderato
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108: 1. Allegro
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108: ll. Adagio
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108: lll. Un poco presto e con sentimento
Sonata For Piano And Violin No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108: lV. Presto agitato

Tracks:

Sonata (Duo) For Violin And Piano In A Major Op. Post. 162 D 574: l. Allegro moderato
Sonata (Duo) For Violin And Piano In A Major Op. Post. 162 D 574: ll. Scherzo - Trio (Presto)
Sonata (Duo) For Violin And Piano In A Major Op. Post. 162 D 574: lll. Andantino
Sonata (Duo) For Violin And Piano In A Major Op. Post. 162 D 574: lV. Allergo vivace
Variations On The French Song 'La bergere Celimene' In G Major K 359 - 374a: Thema. Allegretto - Variations l - Xll
Piano Trio In B Flat Major Op. 99 D 898: l. Allegro moderato
Piano Trio In B Flat Major Op. 99 D 898: ll. Andante un poco mosso
Piano Trio In B Flat Major Op. 99 D 898: lll. Scherzo. Allergo molto - Trio
Piano Trio In B Flat Major Op. 99 D 898: lV. Allegro vivace - Presto

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op, 53, B 108: Allergro ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op, 53, B 108: Adagio ma non troppo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, Op, 53, B 108: Finale: allegro giocoso
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 2 In G Major, Op. 13: Lento doloroso - Poco allegro - Allegro vivace
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 2 In G Major, Op. 13: Allegretto tranquillo
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 2 In G Major, Op. 13: Allegro animato
Violin Concerto In A Minor Op. 82: Moderato - attaca
Violin Concerto In A Minor Op. 82: Andante sostenuto- attaca
Violin Concerto In A Minor Op. 82: Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1, Op, 21, Sz. 75: Allegro appassionato
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1, Op, 21, Sz. 75: Adagio
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1, Op, 21, Sz. 75: Allegro
Hungarian Folksongs: No. 28. Parlando (Feher Lazslo); No. 18. Andante non molto (Nagyvaradi kikotobe): No. 42 Allegro vivace (Hazasodik a tucsok); 33. Andante sostenuto (Csillagok, scillagok szepen ragyokjatok); No. 38. (Tiz litero bennem van)
Hungarian Folksongs: No. 28. Parlando (Feher Lazslo); No. 18. Andante non molto (Nagyvaradi kikotobe): No. 42 Allegro vivace (Hazasodik a tucsok); 33. Andante sostenuto (Csillagok, scillagok szepen ragyokjatok); No. 38. (Tiz litero bennem van) (Cont.)
Hungarian Folksongs: No. 28. Parlando (Feher Lazslo); No. 18. Andante non molto (Nagyvaradi kikotobe): No. 42 Allegro vivace (Hazasodik a tucsok); 33. Andante sostenuto (Csillagok, scillagok szepen ragyokjatok); No. 38. (Tiz litero bennem van) (Cont.)
Sonata for Violin and Piano: Allegretto
Sonata for Violin and Piano: Blues
Sonata for Violin and Piano: Perpetuum mobile
Tzigane: Lento - Moderato - Allergo

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major Op. 19: Andantino - andante assai - Prokofiev
Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major Op. 19: Scherzo. Vivacissimo - Prokofiev
Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major Op. 19: Moderato - Allegro moderato: Moderato - Piu tranquillo - Prokofiev
Five Melodies For Violin And Piano Op. 35b: Andante - Prokofiev
Five Melodies For Violin And Piano Op. 35b: Lento, ma non troppo - Prokofiev
Five Melodies For Violin And Piano Op. 35b: Animato, ma non allegro - Prokofiev
Five Melodies For Violin And Piano Op. 35b: Allegretto leggero e scherzando - Prokofiev
Five Melodies For Violin And Piano Op. 35b: Andante non troppo - Prokofiev
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op. 80: Andante assai - Prokofiev
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op. 80: Allegro brusco - Prokofiev
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op. 80: Andante - Prokofiev
Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op. 80: Allegrissimo - Andante assai, come prima - Prokofiev

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 77 In A Minor: Nocturne: moderato
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 77 In A Minor: Scherzo: allegro
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 77 In A Minor: Passacaglia: andante - cadenza; Burlesque: allegro con brio
Violin Concerto in D minor: Allegro con fermezza
Violin Concerto in D minor: Adante sostenuto
Violin Concerto in D minor: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

The voice of God, but this one's for the fans..........2004-01-22

This is not a first Oistrakh CD to get but it offers a great series of alternate recordings for the Oistrakh collector like me.

Many of these performances are recorings of Czech radio broadcasts and performances taped live at the hall he was playing, ranging from as early as 1947 and to as late as 1972, therefore the sound quality is less than desireable but the playing is always warm and gorgeous and full of red hot expression and offers a great series of alternate recordings for the Oistrakh collector like me. This is therefore not a first Oistrakh CD to get if you are a beginning collector. I would recommend instead getting the box set labelled "The Oistrakh Collection" or "David Oistrakh Edition" if you can find it. For more suggestions, click on my profile and look into my Oistrakh and favorite violin cds listmania lists.

It is my opinion Mr Oistrakh hit his artistic peak around 1954 when also the sound quality of his recordings improved drastically and he was able to acquire the violins he desired: notably the Conte di Fontana Strad he the later traded for the Marsick Strad (in June 1966), which he played until his death. Also notable is SOME of the music of his time that was written for him is included in this disk: two Shostakovich Concertos, the Khachaturian Concerto, the Miakovsky Concerto, and his direct involvement with the writing of Prokofiev's first violin Sonata.

I am the biggest of Oistrakh fans, he has been my favorite violinist for many years and I will continue to listen to and collect his recordings the rest of my life.

His sound is so incredible and expressive I can only describe it as the voice of God with and infinite expression and beauty: his tone is complete and golden even in the oldest and most dated recordings. His vibrato is so expressive as he is able to vary the speed and width to match exactly what the music needs without smothering it with too much sweetness. He is also able to handle the most difficult technical difficulties with ease and makes even the most difficult pieces seem effortless and natural. If you read his biography by his son Igor you know he was influenced by Kreisler and has great tone with great musicality and no limitations of technique.

We should feel licky to have these recordings available and I hope for more of the same, an artist of this caliber produced timeless beauty that will be admired for generations to come. Truly this is the standard of how the violin should be played!

David Oistrakh Endures.......2003-11-05

Someone remarked (I've forgotten where) that David Oistrakh's violin playing shows nothing but humility and respect towards each composition. I agree. And if you grounds for the argument, then listen to these recordings. The violin, so full of color and charm, tempts the violinist to add a little extra here or there just to prove to the world how damn romantic and expressive he can be. Others, afraid of the violin's power, become Stoics, toning down each note and foregrounding technique as though they really can be master and impose order on such an intractable instrument. But after awhile, or perhaps five minutes, the Romantic and the Stoic show how little enduring imagination they have. Oistrakh refuses either extreme, choosing maturity instead. Never cloying, never distant, he is honest, and this Soviet era artist reveals plenty about a time and place that most Americans do not understand. I'll listen to these recordings over and over and regret that I was born too late and in the wrong country to ever hear him play.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition

Average customer rating:

Wonderful set
Don't buy the whole thing
Not Insane
insane
For the real music lover

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition
Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Voluntaries | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002EITP
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful set.......2004-10-24

This set is for serious piano fans, not for the ones who just start building up a CD library. I sort of agree with one of the reviewers, that there are many repetitions. But if you love piano, you wish to hear the same piece in different interpretations. Indeed, I really like this feature of this set: I can compare the style of various performers.
If you are into piano music, I encourage you to grab this set, if you can find it used (not available anymore at Amazon). I also hope, that there will be a continuation, in which other great pianists, who were left out because of the space limitation, will be included (Prokofiev, Bartok, Dohnanyi, etc).

Don't buy the whole thing.......2001-07-08

I've put a lot of thought into constructing my own piano library, and unless you can easily afford the present set, I would recommend a different approach to collecting piano music. This set emphasizes the piano player rather than the piano composer. Of course both are important. For example, the "Barcarolle" appears in this set EIGHT times. I'm sorry, although I love the piece, if I am going to spend [the money], I would prefer more variety. Where are the Alkan, Medtner, and Szymanawski compositions represented in this set? I appreciate having so many interpretations of the same pieces, but I would also appreciate more exposure to pieces not so popular. The selection by Philips which I consider a somewhat popular selection suggests to me that when Philips constructed this set, they realized most people would be buying the disks separately, and this affected the selection. And it's not just that obscure composers are left out, but also if one spends so much money on piano recordings, you'd think you'd want to buy pieces from a composer in completeness. For example, an alternative way to construct a library would be to combine purchases of complete cycles, e.g. complete Beethoven sonatas, complete Scriabin preludes, etc., along with outstanding recordings of more particular pieces. I'm not sure why someone would want to concentrate so much on so many famous artists, instead of acquiring complete sets of compositions. For me the composer is more important, or at least, if I am going to spend [the money]on piano recordings, I'd prefer more complete, rather than snapshot, exposure to the composers.

Not Insane.......2001-01-02

I had to write this review, as I am enthralled with this set. I have been going through it in order having already purchased a few individual units from the collection earlier. I am not sure what `insane' was talking about as there is NO repetition. Sure some pianists perform the same pieces, isn't that what they did in reality? The idea is to appreciate the different nuances and approaches taken by these artists. You will then enjoy these pieces from a better vantage.

It is a large ambitious contribution to the art of great piano playing. It is a labor of love and represents a tremendous amount of research and cooperation between many record companies. Rather then representing insanity, it is a resource to treasure.

Yes experts can quibble over who was left out, and what performances were inserted. I do not think such a massive undertaking could have been accomplished without someone being able to find faults. Overall however, unless you already have a monumental collection, (it would have to be almost legendary), this incredible set will give you a rewarding look into 74 of the greatest pianist of all time. You will come away with a honed sense of appreciation for your likes and dislikes. You will undoubtedly become someone who will search out recordings and be able to enjoy them for the rest of your life with a refined ear.

The only negative is this price. I would shop around, as it is daunting to spend 2 thousand dollars on such a collection. Of course you do get 200 CD's. However, the used collections might be good to consider.

Enjoy these masterpieces. I am not ashamed of owning this music as `insane' implies. I am proud to have enriched my life.

insane.......2000-10-12

This is not a good library of piano music. The reason is, there is too much repetition. I'm not saying the series is bad. The series is wonderful. But this collection as a whole is a bad libary. For the same money you could collect together (with more effort) an incredible libary of piano music. There are so many wonderful cd's out there, this is just a waste of money. If you can actually afford to spend 2 grand on piano music, then either (1) spend the time and do some research to get a good library of piano music, which will probably include some selections from this collection, or (2) hire someone to do that for you. Personally I would be embarrassed to own this whole collection, since that shows I have put little thought into my purchases of piano music.

For the real music lover.......2000-03-12

This series attempts to present important and representative performances by most of the major pianists of the 20th century. One might quibble a bit with the choices, but the works presented are of consistently high quality, and often do represent what may be the best works of a performer. Since this covers most of the time that recorded music existed, some of the recordings are technically challenged, as there is only so much one can do to enhance an old recording. Still, these appear to have been treated with love and respect in their restorations. Since this series is so large (and expensive!) one is tempted to "cherry pick" through the series, yet by doing so one can easily overlook gems by artists one is less familiar with. This large a set must inevitably have many versions of the same pieces, and takes many hours to listen to. The true enthusiast will appreciate the differences in interpretation, whereas the less experienced listener may find the set repetitive and overwhelming. If one has the time to really dig into this set, it can provide years of exploration and discovery. It would make a wonderful gift for some special music lover in your life ... or for yourself!

Average customer rating:

Visionary moments, transcending strife!
Majesterial and transcendent
Granite Solemnity.
Deep into your heart

Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos. 19 & 21

Manufacturer: Olympia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003W68
Release Date: 1995-07-07

Tracks:

Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): I. Allegro
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): II. Adagio
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): III. Menuetto. Allegro
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): IV. Allegro
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): I. Molto Moderato
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): II. Andante Sostenuto
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): III. Sherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Visionary moments, transcending strife!.......2005-08-19

The Sonata D. 958 is certainly the most Beethovenian of them. The tonality is C minor, the tragic tonality per excellence. The initial forte and the scalar modulation remind us the opening of Beethoven's C minor Variations. Schubert wanders adventurously for new roads and paths. You find in Schubert not only traces of a late Romanticism, in a musical period that unknowns this meaning, but you may discover unexpected tonalities and hidden musical seeds narrow linked with Schöenberg. These are authentic journeys toward a wasteland, supported by eerie paths. Claudio Arrau remarked: The way to perform these sections is as something skeletal, macabre-without any flesh. Really the work of the death." The terror and the supernatural are inspiration motives, present from his early age, therefore those images constituted an important source of inspiration for his most admirable compositions. That undeniable aspect establishes a true approach to Gustav Mahler.
We finally arrive to what to my mind is the greatest and most complete Piano Sonata ever written previous or later, the Sonata in B- flat D. 960.
This work is so compelling, mesmerizing and expressive that from the first bars foretells us the entry to a new dimension. If your approach is exclusively romantic, sorry you're wrong. Schubert as the great composers can not been labeled. I s Schubert or Beethoven perhaps, romantic composers?. That artifice and intellectual fragility can be satisfied for minor or miniaturist composers (Grieg is the perfect sample) but not for these giants.
The First movement breathes a majestic quiescence a cosmic rapture that has nothing to do with worldly feelings or dramatis personae. Richter plays with clairvoyant modulation in a fascinating and spelling interplay of light and shades, his accents with lacerating and heart rending rapture bar by bar, with accuracy expression and sublime serenity. I feel personally this is a Schubert's personal farewell, the second theme is obstinately tragic but so strongly inspired and positively convinced of his cosmic involvement. Richter `s performance is filed of charm, he gets integrate himself totally with the spirit of the score.
The Second movement is a an admirable work of extreme perfection. It breaths that quiet step of a funeral march but tearless, it constitutes one of these treasured moments of visible greatness and universal inspiration that resumes a metaphysical sorrow, the second theme is more optimist, loaded of a flamboyant joy for life. The theme is A-B-A and we finally come to the re exposition, briefer and carefully weaved this time with major calm and total concentration.
The Menuetto Allegro (which may be considered as a Scherzo in Mahler and Tchaikovsky Symphonies) works out as a magnificent device to evade the tragedy; it's an innocent and irreverent song with reiterative thrills that pretend to distend the emotional and spiritual tension of both previous movements.
The Final movement is an Allegro with the Mozart style, hiding the death's smile masked of a happy melody. You may realize the change of character of the first theme after the second motive. The abrupt and brief final coda is filled of grace (in spite of the facts), and that's another Schubertian feature.
The last aspect I want to remark is the colossal symphonic structure of the Sonata. Schubert composed this Sonata architectonically similar to Beethoven's Third or Ninth, with the first two movements working out the gravity center of the work.
Rhythm, indeed, is the true basis of Schubert's thematic inspiration and also of his structural procedure. The melody is an ornament to the structure rather than the structure itself.
Clifford Curzon characterization of Schubert's final: "Certainly an autumnal glow and a sense of fulfillment suffuse this inexhaustible sonata."
Schubert can be interpreted only in his totality, as a synthesis of all his musical and emotional qualities, It is that peculiarity that differentiates him from other composers.
Go for this recording, you will find in this performance enough motives to think in one of the supreme musical achievements in any age.

Majesterial and transcendent.......2004-09-28

When Glenn Gould toured Moscow in 1955, he happened to attend a recital in which Richter played Schubert's b-flat sonata. Gould generally disliked Schubert; he found the musical structures too repetitive. Recalling Richter's performance many years afterward, he said that, as he anticipated what he was about to hear, not only did he dread the sonata, his unease heightened when Richter began playing the first movement in the slowest tempo imaginable. But then someting happened, which Gould compared to being swept into a hypnotic trance by piano playing of irresistible power. His assessment was that Richter was "the most powerful musical communicator of our time." Listening to this recording, it's easy to understand how Gould felt. Schurbert's last sonata is sublime and Richter explores its full musical and emotional range.

Granite Solemnity........2003-09-26

There is a surety of vision here, an absolute control and a depth of compassion that is hard to describe in words. Sviatoslav Richter traverses these intimate piano sonatas as one who understood the suffering of Franz Schubert during his final weeks.

This is very stirring music, very emotional, but music which also serves an education. As one listens to these piano sonatas, as one inevitably reflects upon their content and their creator, one begins to think more and more about life, about purpose, and about beauty.

Who wishes to end on D960?

This is authentic music making, the articulation of an authentic human teaching. I invite everyone to listen, to enjoy, and to learn.

Deep into your heart.......2002-10-26

The performance of these two Schubert's sonata is the best I've ever listened to. The D960 one was used as the opening and ending background music for "Richter, The Enigma" Film. The sound quality is high.
Slava's performance here is superb compared to London Aldeburgh one. The unusual slow speed for D960 really revealed another angle that hiding deeply inside the sonata. The tone colour is extremely well-balanced. Each movement retains it's own atmosphere.

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2000-07-02

Okay, okay, you somehow stumbled on this great CD, but you've got no idea what's on it since the tracks aren't listed, and unfortunately Naxos makes it slightly confusing. You see there are ten CDs under the title "Romantic Piano Favorites" (Volume 1-10). But there are also two box sets which contain five of the CDs and are confusingly labelled volume 1 and 2. So be carefull what you buy. I advise you to get the box sets, because they're very inexpensive.

Also the name of the collection is somewhat misleading. The piano pieces are not all from the Romantic Era (although some are) and they're not romantic in nature (some are dark, others just dance pieces).

And don't be afraid by Naxos. I've heard some people tell me that they don't buy from inexpensive labels fearing the sound quality would be subpar. But Naxos has never dissapointed me and this box set is wonderful. The piano sounds great and the pianist themselves are very talented.

This box set is Volume 2 (which contains Volume 6-10). By the way if you want to hear some of the samples then find the single CDs (rather than the box set) and you can hear them. The first CD of this box set (Vol. 6) begins wonderfully from works by Haydn, Grieg, and Schumann. What's wonderful here is that some of the pieces are ones you'd never here unless you picked up this box set. Vol. 7 has Brahms craddle song (which everyone could easily recognize) and his 5th Hungarian Dance, Vol. 8 Rosas famous Sobre las olas, Vol. 9 Mozart version of the famous French lullabye (We know it as Twinkle, twinkle little Star), And finally Vol. 10 the Danse Macabre.

Tracks:

Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): I. Allegro
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): II. Adagio
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): III. Menuetto. Allegro
Pno Son No.19 in c, Op.Posth. (D.958): IV. Allegro
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): I. Molto Moderato
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): II. Andante Sostenuto
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): III. Sherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Pno Son No.21 in B Flat, Op.Posth.(D.960): IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

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