Schubert Impromptus; Sonata 'Fantasy'
Staier’s Schubert on the fortepiano is a must for all who love this music
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Franz Schubert
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Magazine Review Date: 9/2010
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: HMC90 2021
![](https://reviews.azureedge.net/gramophone/media-thumbnails/794881911226.jpg)
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Impromptus, Movement: No. 1 in F minor |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Andreas Staier, Fortepiano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Impromptus, Movement: No. 2 in A flat |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Andreas Staier, Fortepiano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Impromptus, Movement: No. 3 in B flat |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Andreas Staier, Fortepiano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Impromptus, Movement: No. 4 in F minor |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Andreas Staier, Fortepiano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Sonata for Piano No. 18 |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Andreas Staier, Fortepiano Franz Schubert, Composer |
Author: Harriet Smith
He has the advantage of a superb instrument, a modern copy of an 1827 Graf fortepiano by Christopher Clarke. Not only does it offer the ideal degree of mellowness, but the sounds Staier coaxes from it at the quieter end of the spectrum (fading almost to inaudibility in the winsome Trio) are a joy indeed. The upper registers, too, have enough transparency to allow the burnished lower octaves to be heard to full effect.
The Impromptus are equally persuasive, matching Uchida in the sense of journeying within each work, matching Lupu in beauty of sound in the poignancy of No 2, and finding an even more unbridled approach to the Hungarian inflections of No 4.
Regardless of your attitude to fortepianos, if you love this music, you’ll want this interpretation. Staier is unquestionably one of the most probing and thoughtful of musicians around today.
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