Franz Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D. 664, D. 960

On this CD:

1. Piano Sonata No. 13 in A major, D. 664 (Op. 120)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Mikhail Kazakevich

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

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 1. Molto Moderato
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 2. Andante Sostenuto
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In B Flat Major D 960: 4. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 1. Allegro Moderato
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 2. Allegro
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 3. Adagio
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 4. Scherzo. Allegro
Five Piano Pieces D 459 & D 459A ('Sonata In E Major'): 5. Allegro Patetico

Tracks:

Sonata In C Minor D 958: 1. Allegro
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 3. Menuetto. Allegro
Sonata In C Minor D 958: 4. Allegro
Sonata In A Major D 959: 1. Allegro
Sonata In A Major D 959: 2. Andantino
Sonata In A Major D 959: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In A Major D 959: 4. Rondo. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 1. Molto Moderato E Cantabile
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 2. Andante
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In G Major D 894(Op. 78): 4. Allegretto
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 1. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 2. Con Motto
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 3. Scherzo. Alegro Vivace
Sonata In D Major D 850 (Op. 53): 4. Rondo. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 1. Moderato
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 2. Andante Poco Mosso
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace - Trio. Un Poco Piu Lento
Sonata In A Minor D 845 (Op. 42): 4. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In C Major 840 ('Reliquie' - Fragment): 1. Moderato
Sonata In C Major 840 ('Reliquie' - Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 1. Allegro Giusto
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 2. Amdante
Sonate In A Minor D 784 (Op. 143): 3. Allegro Vivace

Tracks:

Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 2. Andante
Sonata In a Major D 664 (Op. 120): 3. Allegro
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 4. Allegro
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 2. Scherzo. Allegretto
Sonata In F Minor D 625: 3. Allegro
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 2. Andante
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 3. Scherzo. Allegretto
Sonata In B Major D 575 (Op. 147): 4. Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 2. Andante Molto
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Sonata In E Flat Major D 568 (Op. 122): 4. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In A Major D 557: 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In A Major D 557: 2. Andante
Sonata In A Major D 557: 3. Allegro
Sonata In E Minor D 556 (First And Second Movements): 1. Moderato
Sonata In E Minor D 556 (First And Second Movements): 2. Allegretto

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 2. Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Sonata In A Minor D 537 (Op. 164): 3. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 1. Allegro Moderato
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonata In C Major D 279 (Fragment): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 2. Andante
Sonata In E Major D 157(Fragment): 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace

Amazon.com

Wilhelm Kempff was a master of poetic lyricism, with a wondrous keyboard touch and a breathtaking command of subtle dynamics and tonal colorations--all invaluable attributes of any Schubert interpreter. He also had the knack of holding together large structures that can often seem aimless, thus avoiding another trap many pianists fall into, that of lavishing so much attention on passing detail that Schubert's "heavenly lengths" can seem wayward wanderings. The one criticism often heard is that Kempff emphasizes poetry at the expense of drama. This magnificent set leaves that claim unsubstantiated.

Few pianists have been so successful, for example, in what may be Schubert's wildest single movement, the nightmarish Andantino of the A major Sonata, D. 959. Here, Kempff captures the tortured mood of the piece to perfection without breaking its Classical frame. Tempos are generally expansive, but Kempff's tonal luster and unerring sense of natural phrasing never make you want him to step on the accelerator. A special treat is the inclusion of rarely heard early works. Some of these were left unfinished; others reflect a composer still mastering his craft. But most are of more than passing interest, and some have an enchanting, aching beauty. Kempff's Schubert set has been a recording classic since its release on LP; its availability in a space-saving CD box at a budget price is cause for celebration. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Sometimes the old ways are the best.......2007-04-27

Kempff himself wrote the liner notes to this highly satisfying set and states the following: "The deeper we penetrate into the world of Schubert, however, the greater is our surprise at discovering that the 'heavenly length' for which he is reproached is to be regarded relatively. If the length becomes evident as longueurs, the fault lies with the interpreter (I speak from my own experience...)." Indeed, in listening to Kempff play the Schubert sonata canon the thoughts of "overly long" or "needlessly repetitive" never entered my head. Barring some extraordinary performances of individual sonatas over the years, such as Richter's old Russian recording of the c minor (D 958) on Melodiya or Serkin's equally old recording of the B-flat (D 960), this is the best playing of the Schubert sonatas I know.

I used to think of some of the earlier sonatas as practice or training pieces for the later masterworks (which of course by definition they are, but they need not be viewed retrospectively from the vantage point of the late works). Unfortunately, they often sound boring and immature. This is due to defects in players and the playing, not a problem with Schubert. Kempff makes all the sonatas here, including the early ones, glow with the utmost musicality so they stand on their own as beautiful works. Just one example: In the earlier of the a minor sonatas he handles little secondary figures that are intercalated within major theme phrases in an amazingly musical and beautiful way. As a pianist myself, I could never figure out how to make them unobtrusive, let alone desirable. Under Kempff's fingers they fit sublimely into the fabric of the work. The playing is clearly layered, every note and phrase has its place and purpose, his internal logic is such that nothing Schubert wrote sounds less than as it should. One more example: The first movement of the G major sonata ("Fantasy" sonata, D 894) floats in its ethereal haze but goes fast, not slow. Kempff can produce the effect of suspended animation without suspending the actual motion. This is no doubt what Schubert intended but it is very difficult to pull off as a performer. Kempff's treatment of the last 5 sonatas (D, G, A, c minor, and B flat) is breathtaking.

This set is a revelation. What a magnificent panorama of Schubert's development as a composer! Also, the origins of later composers' styles can be traced to Schubert's writing for piano. The roots of Bruckner's iterated and protracted symphonies can be heard, for example, in the way the finale of the a minor sonata begins. (I don't think this is apparent from other players, who lack Kempff's lyricism and mysticism.) Included beside the actual titled sonatas are various fragments of incomplete sonatas and collections of piano pieces that in effect are untitled sonatas (such as D 459/459A).

The recordings are from around 1965-1970 and the piano sound is singing, glowing, radiant. I recommend this set wholeheartedly to anyone interested in great musicianship, masterly piano playing, Schubert's piano music, and Schubert's evolution as a composer. Kempff makes you realize that the magic didn't all happen in the last year of Schubert's life, and I can't think of another pianist who does that for me. (There are few, if any, major players of Schubert with whom I'm not familiar.) Kempff was the leading German pianist of the immediate post-WW II era, but I think he has largely been forgotten. His Schubert, Beethoven, and Brahms are wonderful. Modern players, despite their steel fingers and elephantine endurance and machine-like (sometimes machine-gun-like) techniques, stand to learn a lot from this old master's art.

The Love of Schubert.......2007-03-30

Absolutely must have for true music lover and particularly the music of Schubert. This is already an old recording but still stands up the comparison with later, newer CD's ( Brendel, Schiff,Lupu, Perahia). Kempff, the old master, now deceased, left a memorable,moving and romantic in spirit rendition of Schubert Piano Sonatas (the first complete set). I heard Kempff performed in live, and always thought of him as the greatest German Romantic Pianist.
This set is the work of true love.

Great, but Prefer the Schiff.......2006-08-06

How can it be that the Schiff cycle is out of print? How does that concept even make sense in 2006?

The one review on the late sonatas by Schiff holds some clues as to why they are so special.

I know that years of listening produces version biases, but I really did try and look past that here, but the C minor 958 is so much less dramatic and compelling in this version. The Schiff version is very hypnotic. Kempff's tempos are totally different. It is interesting, during the runs, there is a tremendous sense of fluidity in Kempff's sound, but in the rest of the piece, it sounds too mechanical. The same holds for some of the others, though in some of the pieces, for instance, 568, the results are less pronounced.

Ironically, I usually like the less embellished versions of pieces, especially when a composer like Beethoven is involved and performers reinterpret him as a romantic, but in this case, the opposite is true. 958 in Schiff's version sounds like one of the towering achievements of solo piano. Here, the elements are all there, but the overall effect is lost.

Elegance, accuracy and expressiveness!.......2006-01-24

These gems recordings are authentic milestones performances. Because there has not been any other pianist capable of making sing the piano like Wilhelm Kempff. His fingering is precise and crystalline, the cantabiles are sumptuous and the arpeggios are phrased with such clarity and expression, that hardly you will be able to forget it.

Go for these performances. They are part of the legend.

Heavenly Length and Breadth.......2006-01-11

There are a number of classical pianists who perform Schubert's piano sonatas extremely well (Brendel, Uchida, Schiff, and Richter come immediately to mind), all of whom bring their own individual brilliance to this music. Given that it is probably impossible to render the "best" performance of each of these pieces, the question arises as to why anyone would want to invest in one musician's complete recordings of these sonatas.

My analysis of this question takes into account several factors. The first of these is economic. The Kempff set is budget price and a significant savings over the acquisition of the sonatas by other artists. Even if economics are not a factor, it may be valuable to compare Kempff's way with these pieces with other pianists and this set will allow the collector to at least have one complete set for comparison purposes.

The basis for investing in these recordings is, however, far from solely economic. There seem to be two components a successful Schubertian must bring to the sonatas: an ability to properly convey the various dynamic markings found in each piece and the ability to understand and convey the complete architecture of each piece, instead of being caught up in the various eddies that so many of the movements contain with them. Kempff is able to satisfy both of these components brilliantly. These albums contain what may be the most beautiful pianissimo I have ever heard. Kempff also seems to have a sure conception of each complete work and does not lose the listener in various musical cul de sacs.

In short, performances this beautiful are bargains at any cost.

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D.960 & 664, Moments Musicaux D.780, Impromptus D.899

Average customer rating:

The non-pareil!
Great recordings
Amazing recording

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D.960 & 664, Moments Musicaux D.780, Impromptus D.899
Wilhelm Kempff
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Beethoven: The Music for Cello and Piano

ASIN: B000024575
Release Date: 1998-10-12

Tracks:

Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 - Molto Moderato
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 - Andante Sostenuto
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 - Scherzo- Allegro Vivace
Piano Sonata In B Flat Major, D 960 - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.1 In C Major- Moderato
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.2 In A Flat Major- Andantino
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.3 In F Minor- Allegro Moderato
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.4 In C Sharp Minor- Moderato
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.5 In F Minor- Allegro Vivace
Moments Musicaux, D 780 (Op.94) - No.6 In A Flat Major- Allegretto
4 Impromptus, D 899 (Op.90) - No.1 In C Minor- Allegro Molto Moderato
4 Impromptus, D 899 (Op.90) - No.2 In E Flat Major- Allegro
4 Impromptus, D 899 (Op.90) - No.3 In G Flat Major- Andante
4 Impromptus, D 899 (Op.90) - No.4 In A Flat Major- Allegretto
4 Impromptus, D 935 (Op.Post. 142) - No.1 In F Minor- Allegro Moderato
4 Impromptus, D 935 (Op.Post. 142) - No.2 In A Flat Major- Allegretto
4 Impromptus, D 935 (Op.Post. 142) - No.3 In B Flat Major- Theme With Variations- Andante - Var. I-
4 Impromptus, D 935 (Op.Post. 142) - No.4 In F Minor- Allegro Scherzando
Piano Sonata In A Major, D 664 (Op.Post.120) - Allegro Moderato
Piano Sonata In A Major, D 664 (Op.Post.120) - Andante
Piano Sonata In A Major, D 664 (Op.Post.120) - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

The non-pareil!.......2006-01-30

I heard Kempff play the great Schubert B-flat sonata when I was a schoolboy, and to this day, many years later, I've never heard anyone catch the heart-breaking, valedictory lyricism of that first movement in quite that way. To my mind--and fingers--the rather slow tempo that others have noticed is absolutely right. Then the figure-work is so delicate! And no-one, in my longish experience, no-one, has ever played the scherzo with such sweet, rippling grace. The impromptus are beautifully played, too, especially the first one of the second set. What a player Kempff was! And what a great age of music-making he lived in: such nobility of approach and understanding.

Great recordings.......2005-07-18

These selections of Schubert are among the best the composer can offer, and we also have Kempff performing them, so it's a double deal. In D.960 Kempff finds such a calmness interrupted by bursts of tension and passion. It is slower that others saved only by Richter and Arrau, but it never gets boring or feels dragged. Kempff's sense of phrasing here is marvellous.

The shorter pieces (impromptus and moment musicaux) are nicely done. While you can feel they all belong to sets, Kempff also creates a sense of individuality for each piece.

On the whole, I should say this is a very good introduction to Schubert and also a good item for Kempff fans such as myself. The sould is also very good for the time of the recording.

Amazing recording.......2003-09-06

This is clearly one of the best D960 I have heard. The other pieces are also beautiful. Kempff has almost no peer in this repertoire. The first movement of the D960 is played slower than most pianists I have heard(except Richter), leading to a veiled tension that pervades the omnipresent Schubert lyricism. Faster tempos end up making the music sound perky.Kempff achieves amazing effect in the other three movements too. The D664 is also exceptional. A CD truely worth owning.

Tracks:

Pno Son in A, D664: Allegro moderato
Pno Son in A, D664: Andante
Pno Son in A, D664: Allegro
Pno Son in B-flat, D960: Molto moderato
Pno Son in B-flat, D960: Andante sostenuto
Pno Son in B-flat, D960: Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza
Pno Son in B-flat, D960: Allegro ma non troppo

Amazon.com

Radu Lupu is one of our greatest contemporary pianists. He works within a relatively narrow range on recordings (although he plays a greater variety in concert) and makes only a few of them. But as a player of music from Beethoven to Brahms--and especially of Schubert--he has made some of the best piano CDs in the catalog. His playing here is simply exquisite. The lighthearted D. 664 sounds carefree and charming, while the deep emotionalism of Schubert's last Piano Sonata (D. 960) is extremely convincing and affecting here. These are recordings for the ages, so we are fortunate that their piano sound is so good. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Unsurpassed.......2006-03-14

It seems like self-agrandisement to review something as magnificent as this recording, but the word must be spread.

The technique is flawless, the musicality is inspirational and Schubert's masterful status is fully vidicated in every note.

This recording, like all of Lupu's Schubert, is unsurpassed.

I should add, for those who are yet to listen to this music, once you do, you will play it many, many times.

A Wonderful, Uninhibited Schubert.......1998-09-18

Lupu's Schubert is delightful, light, yet powerful. He is never timid, always sensitive to every nuance and change of color. He plays with a rare natural gusto and absolute delight for the music. Surely one of the finest recording of Schubert piano music available.

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D664 & D960
Roger Braun
Manufacturer: A.C. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004R8S1
Release Date: 2000-03-07

Franz Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D. 664, D. 960

Average customer rating:

Franz Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D. 664, D. 960

Manufacturer: Conifer
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000024E3
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Piano Sonatas

Manufacturer: Real Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Average customer rating:

Deja-vu
5-star All-around
Wonderful Collection of Schubert's Piano Sonatas

Schubert: Piano Sonatas

Manufacturer: Arcana
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00001NTIE
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Son No.1in E, D157: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Son No.1in E, D157: II. Andante
Son No.1in E, D157: III. Menuetto. Allego Vivace
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: II. Andante
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: III. Adagio
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: IV. Scherzo Con Trio. Allegro
Son No.3 in E, Funf Klavierstucke, D459: V. Allegro Patetico
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: II. Andante
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: III. Scherzo. Allegretto
Son No.9 in B,Op.147,D575: IV. Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Son No.2 in C, D279/346: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: II. Andante
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: III. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Son No.2 in C, D279/346: IV. Allegretto, D346
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: I. Moderato
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: II. Allegretto
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.6 in e, D566/506: IV. Rondo. Allegretto Moto, Op.145/2, D506
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: I. Allegro Moderato, D571
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: II. (D604)
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace, D570
Son No.8 in f, D571/604/570: IV. Allegro D570

Tracks:

Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: II. Andante Molto
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: III. Menuetto, Allegretto
Son No.7 in E flat, Op.122, D568: IV. Allegro Moderato
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: I. Moderato
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: II. Adagio, D612
Son No.10 in C, D613/612: III. (Allegretto)
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: I. Allegro
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: II. Scherzo. Allegretto
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: III. Adagio, Op.145/I
Son No.11 in f, D625/505: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: I. Moderato
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: II. Andante
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: III. Menuetto. Allegretto
Son No.15 in C, (Reliquie), D840: IV. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.18 in c, D958: I. Allegro
Son No.18 in c, D958: II. Adagio
Son No.18 in c, D958: III. Menuetto. Allegro
Son No.18 in c, D958: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: I. Moderato
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: II. Andante, Poco Mosso
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.15 in a, Op.42, D845: IV. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: I. Allegro
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: II. Andante Con Moto
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Son No.16 in D, Op.53, D850: IV. Rondo. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: II. Allegretto Quasi Andantino
Son No.4 in a, Op.164, D537: III. Allegro Vivace
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: I. Molto Moderato E Cantabile
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: II. Andante
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: III. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace
Son No.17 in G, Op.78, D894: IV. Allegretto

Tracks:

Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: I. Moderato
Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: II. Andante
Son No.13 in a, Op.143, D784: III. Allegro Vivace
Son No.19 in A, D959: I. Allegro
Son No.19 in A, D959: II. Andantino
Son No.19 in A, D959: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace - Trio. Un Poco Piu Lento
Son No.19 in A, D959: IV. Rondo. Allegretto

Tracks:

Son No.5 in A flat, D557: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.5 in A flat, D557: II. Andante
Son No.5 in A flat, D557: III. Allegro
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: I. Allegro Moderato
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: II. Andante
Son No.12 in A, Op.120, D664: III. Allegro
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: I. Molto Moderato
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: II. Andante Sostenuto
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace Con Delicatezza
Son No.20 in B flat, D960: IV. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Deja-vu.......2005-08-24

Over three decades ago I heard Paul Badura-Skoda perform the Schubert piano sonatas in a series of concerts in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. At the same time he gave intimate lecture-recitals in the much smaller Purcell Room, in which he discussed many of the works, playing illustrations, and then performing the movement in its entirety. At the time my wife and I often slightly preferred the performances he gave in the smaller space.

Some years later I bought the complete RCA set and prized them highly. Just this month I have finally found (through Amazon) a set of his later fortepiano recordings, sadly OP. I find to my eternal joy that they are more like those Purcell Room lecture performances. In the slow movements there is the intimacy, the introspection which must have charactarized the composer's own salon performances to a circle of his friends. Today these sonatas virtually belong to Badura Skoda--it is as if, for a time, he had become Schubert himself.

Watch for another set to appear and grab it when you can.

5-star All-around.......2003-11-06

I won't comment on the musicianship of these performances, which I cannot find words to paise. I'd just like to comment that hearing this music on a pianoforte is a revelation! The effects produced carry *meaning*, it really makes a difference. On a modern piano, the sound is of course more lush, but expressiveness suffers. (I guess one corollary is that Schubert would have written differently if in possession of a today's piano.)

Wonderful Collection of Schubert's Piano Sonatas.......2001-07-26

This is a wonderful collection of Schubert's piano sonatas. I bought some of Paul Badura-Skoda's performances of Schubert's piano sonatas in 1970s, and I liked them so much that I wanted to collect all of his performances, but unfortunately his LPs became out of stock. When I found his CDs ... I was thrilled, thinking long-sought Badura-Skoda's Schubert was to be obtained. However, when the ordered CDs arrived, I found, with a mixture of feelings, that they are not the CDs of his former performances, but new ones. I listened to all the sonatas more than five times, and now I can say this collection is as beautiful as the first one, and I would like to recommend it to all those who love Schubert's piano sonatas.

In those CDs, Badura-Skoda plays Schubert's piano sonatas, using some original fortepianos. The sounds therefore are very different from those of his first recording: rather rich and straight than elegant and refined. But it is a great pleasure to find some new aspects of Schubert's piano sonatas, very different from the greatness Brendel or Uchida has shown us. Badura-Skoda's Schubert is closer to us and gives us an impression that the pianist himself really loves Schubert and is enjoying playing his works. Yes, sometimes Badura-Skoda enjoys Schubert's playfulness. Listen to the ending of the first movement of the D major sonata (Op.53). You will be surprised and will laugh.

What makes this collection unique is that, unlike Brendel or Uchida, Badura-Skoda tries to include all the piano sonatas from Schubert's early days, supplementing unfinished parts. He did so in his first recording, and I like these efforts of his. He seems to be trying to show us something hidden in the unfinished works. As an amateur lover of music, I appreciate his efforts which provide me with what specialists can obtain just by looking at Schubert's sketches.

The only problem is that the information of the content of each CD is lacking. You have to make a content of each CD by yourself! The backs of the two containers are blank. I think these backs should carry information of the content of the CDs, which is a common practice of CD companies.

I like this collection, and because I like it I strongly wish Badura-Skoda's first recording should be made into CDs. I am sure it will double the pleasure of listening to this collection.

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