Franz SCHUBERT
Piano Works
Piano Sonata in A minor D537
Piano Sonata in a D664
Three Piano Pieces D946
Klara Wurtz (piano)
Pieter van Winkel (piano) (in D946)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99678/6
(DDD) [77.19]
The A minor sonata is one of Schubert better piano sonatas written before
he made a conscious decision to be long-winded as in the final sonatas. The
opening movement does have contrast and, unusually for this composer, has
a dramatic content. That the music stops and starts must increase tension
for some and infuriate others.
I admire Ms Wurtz's playing. As in the previous
review, she has a style of playing which is her own and a splendid
sensitivity. The clarity of her fingerwork is again excellent and what I
do like is that she does not exaggerate. She does not go in for show or
ostentation as did Richter, of course, who, in his eccentricity, used to
play Schubert at concerts with all the lights out, play all the repeats and
take an interminable length of time particularly in the opening movements.
He took 29 minutes over one such movement and the broken chord/arpeggio passage
lasted about seven minutes. Even for lovers of Schubert that must have been
a strain.
This sonata has a picturesque slow movement in F major and Ms Wurtz brings
out its inherent beauty. Her tempi (she does not drag the music or wallow
in it) and her timing are first class and the felicitous elegance she brings
to the music is evident. Just revel in it.
I have never rated the finale but this performance goes a long way to make
it work.
The A major sonata is an evergreen with a simply glorious tune in the first
movement which keeps returning as if the composer is saying, "Don't forget,
I have written a super tune." But as with most Schubert there is little or
no development or any other skilful workings as you will find in Beethoven.
Schubert was a gifted melodist but not a craftsman. "One good tune does not
a sonata make," said Alfred Cortot.
Peter van Winkel completes the disc with the Three Piano Pieces D946
Schubert fans will not go wrong in buying these discs!
David Wright
