Schubert Piano Recordings

[FideLeo]

Right  I've been looking for a recommendation for a performance of D. 946 for ages -- looks like Katin mat be my first HIP Schubert record.

Lambert Orkis has recorded them on a fp - and, rather uniquely I think, also includes the draft version of the first Klavierstück, which is considerably longer than the final version.

Disc2   11. Klavierstück In E Flat Minor D946 No. 1 (Original Version) 12:24   

[FideLeo]

I will definitely check up on Nikolaus Lahusen. BTW, what are your impressions of 960 by Vermeulen and Bilson? I was very impressed with Vermeulen's first movement of 845 (samples courtesy of Mr Marchand). If they approach Staier's level in 960, I'd probably get them.

I never heard Bilson's Schubert (having read some rather unfavourable reviews from someone whose taste I trust) and need to listen to Vermeulen's D 960 again to provide any useful feedback.  My biggest problem with the Vermeulen sets is the recorded sound - it is too upfront for me to obtain some kind of an aesthetic distance, which is sometimes advantageous when it comes to fortepianos.  I will give his D. 960 another go before posting an impression.

[james66]

Thanks, Antoine, for the suggested recordings. Most of them though seem unavailable on Amazon, which is a shame since I almost always favour Schubert on fortepiano nowadays. Would you consider Bilson's Schubert worth getting? I've heard that he could be more scholarly than spontaneous, and sometimes a bit pedantic. I have not heard enough of him to gauge.

There is one fortepianist of whom I knew nothing but whose Schubert has left me stunned: Thomas Gunther playing D845 and D959 on a Streicher in a Cybele recording. Everything, from the playing to the acoustics and instrument, is top-notch. He is at least at the level of that Schubertian par excellence, Andreas Staier, maybe even surpassing him, which is the highest praise I could afford Gunther.

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks, Antoine, for the suggested recordings. Most of them though seem unavailable on Amazon, which is a shame since I almost always favour Schubert on fortepiano nowadays. Would you consider Bilson's Schubert worth getting? I've heard that he could be more scholarly than spontaneous, and sometimes a bit pedantic. I have not heard enough of him to gauge.

There is one fortepianist of whom I knew nothing but whose Schubert has left me stunned: Thomas Gunther playing D845 and D959 on a Streicher in a Cybele recording. Everything, from the playing to the acoustics and instrument, is top-notch. He is at least at the level of that Schubertian par excellence, Andreas Staier, maybe even surpassing him, which is the highest praise I could afford Gunther.

Hi, James. Actually it is hard to find those few discs devoted to the composers of the Romantic period. Those discs on period instruments are quickly discontinued and sometimes it is a real torture to get one copy (for example: I really want the Chopin's Nocturnes recorded by Luc Devos)

My opinion about Bilson's Schubert is rather unfavorable, too. His playing seems dry and unimaginative and IMO there are better options in this repertoire.

BTW, I don't know if you are interested in Schubert's lieders, but in the last weeks I have enjoyed a recording of the Winterreise on Musica Omnia.

Max van Egmond (baritone) and Penelope Crawford (fortepiano Conrad Graf, Vienna 1835) are just superb... and the sound of that fortepiano...

You can check some excerpt here:

http://www.musicaomnia.org/romantics.asp   

[FideLeo]

There is one fortepianist of whom I knew nothing but whose Schubert has left me stunned: Thomas Gunther playing D845 and D959 on a Streicher in a Cybele recording. Everything, from the playing to the acoustics and instrument, is top-notch. He is at least at the level of that Schubertian par excellence, Andreas Staier, maybe even surpassing him, which is the highest praise I could afford Gunther.

I have the disc and like his playing a lot, too.  Certainly an eloquent, winsome interpretation with flying sparks of virtuosity but I have not detected the same level of depths or emotional complexity that one hears in Staier's Schubert.  His Streicher fp certainly sounds prettier than the one used by Jan Vermeulen does though.  Can't say which instrument was more appropriately restored, given all (except the Gunter of course) Stein-Streicher fp's I have heard all have a brashly vibrant, rather than graceful, sound. 

[FideLeo]

I really want the Chopin's Nocturnes recorded by Luc Devos

Funny I ditched these years ago.  I suspect I might like them better today if I give them another listen.  Michele Boegner's recording on a Pleyel (Calliope) has been satisfying to me for now, however.

[Antoine Marchand]

Funny I ditched these years ago. 

I suppose the world is not a fair place. 

I suspect I might like them better today if I give them another listen. 

Although the disappointment is always a possibility, I have listened to some excerpts and I feel a kind of natural affinity with Devos' work (I own other recordings by him). Unfortunately, his Nocturnes are totally OOP, impossible to find even used.

[Opus106]

Sony seems to be coming out with boxes of older recordings, lately.



Piano Music-Four Hands
Yaara Tal und Andreas Groethuysen
7 Discs

Click on image to go to the JPC page.


Added to wishlist.

[Harry]

Sony seems to be coming out with boxes of older recordings, lately.



Piano Music-Four Hands
Yaara Tal und Andreas Groethuysen
7 Discs

Click on image to go to the JPC page.


Added to wishlist.

Yes I ordered that one a few days ago, should be in any time.

[SonicMan46]

Yesterday, I posted in the 'listening thread' on a Schubert 2-CD set from BRO w/ Lambert Orkis on two different fortepianos - really enjoy him and own a number of recordings, including the Beethoven Cello Sonatas on both modern & period instruments.

Now, I listened to this set in my office on a small boombox - not bad, but this morning on my den speakers, the first disc is quite good (would be a keeper as an alternate to my Uchida recordings of these works), but the second disc had a more 'muffled' tone; the recordings were done in different locations, the latter in a church located in Bethesda, Maryland - I suspect the main culprit is the engineering; the fortepiano was a reproduction but done by a respectable couple, i.e. the Wolfs and tuned by her - 

Thus, to reactivate this thread and discuss Schubert's solo piano works - what's new (or old) that can be recommended for the works mentioned below, either on a fortepiano and/or modern instrument to complement my Uchida performances?   

Schubert, Franz - Impromptus, Klavierstucke, & Moments Musicaux w/ Lambet Orkis on two different fortepianos (fist disc, an 1826 Conrad Graf piano, assume restored; second disc, Thomas & Barbara Wolf reproduction after Nannette Streicher) - just starting to listen to this 2-CD set on Virgin ($10 from BRO) - my current 'in house' comparison is the Uchida set which includes these works plus the sonatas; so curious if anyone may know this Orkis set?   

[Opus106]

Yesterday, I posted in the 'listening thread' on a Schubert 2-CD set from BRO w/ Lambert Orkis on two different fortepianos - really enjoy him and own a number of recordings, including the Beethoven Cello Sonatas on both modern & period instruments.

Now, I listened to this set in my office on a small boombox - not bad, but this morning on my den speakers, the first disc is quite good (would be a keeper as an alternate to my Uchida recordings of these works), but the second disc had a more 'muffled' tone; the recordings were done in different locations, the latter in a church located in Bethesda, Maryland - I suspect the main culprit is the engineering; the fortepiano was a reproduction but done by a respectable couple, i.e. the Wolfs and tuned by her - 

Thus, to reactivate this thread and discuss Schubert's solo piano works - what's new (or old) that can be recommended for the works mentioned below, either on a fortepiano and/or modern instrument to complement my Uchida performances?   

Alfred Brendel on Philips. But hey, what do I know!

(All his Schubert recordings (for Philips) are available as an inexpensive 7-CD box in Germany.)

I have come across the Orkis discs before while rummaging through the Veritas catalogue about a year ago, but passed it over -- that was before I became maniacally addicted to the Impromptus. Now that you have reminded me about it (thanks!), it goes up on the wish-list.

[SonicMan46]

Alfred Brendel on Philips. But hey, what do I know!

I have come across the Orkis discs before while rummaging through the Veritas catalogue about a year ago, but passed it over -- that was before I became maniacally addicted to the Impromptus. Now that you have reminded me about it (thanks!), it goes up on the wish-list.

Hello Opus - oh yes, Brendel seens to be a favorite in this category, but there are so many others - guess that I was looking for 'something' different from my Uchida box, i.e. 'period instrument' interpretations? 

The Orkis Beethoven recordings I mentioned previously are just outstanding, but not sure that I could recommend the Schubert set of his because of the second disc - I mean, not really that bad but the sound quality could be better (as it is on the first disc); however, I bought the set from BRO for just $10!  Dave 

[Opus106]

Hello Opus - oh yes, Brendel seens to be a favorite in this category, but there are so many others - guess that I was looking for 'something' different from my Uchida box, i.e. 'period instrument' interpretations? 

Staier, then? He's recorded D. 935 for HM, and I remember coming across some favourable views, possibly in this forum.

The Orkis Beethoven recordings I mentioned previously are just outstanding, but not sure that I could recommend the Schubert set of his because of the second disc - I mean, not really that bad but the sound quality could be better (as it is on the first disc); however, I bought the set from BRO for just $10!  Dave 

Yes, those Veritas two-fers are usually good value for money, but thanks for the warning.

[Gurn Blanston]

Only have a second, Dave, more later. But for a downright nice fortepiano interpretation, you might look into Jan Vermuelen. Very nice playing indeed. He has 2 cycles, I have the earlier one on Vanguard, but there is a new one being slowly released (maybe volume 5 now) that Que has spoken very highly of. I have the Orkis, BTW, and like the playing a lot. I agree, the 2 disks don't have the same sonics at all, but disk 2 isn't a total disaster, it just isn't up to the standards of disk 1, yes?

[SonicMan46]

Only have a second, Dave, more later. But for a downright nice fortepiano interpretation, you might look into Jan Vermuelen. Very nice playing indeed. He has 2 cycles, I have the earlier one on Vanguard, but there is a new one being slowly released (maybe volume 5 now) that Que has spoken very highly of. I have the Orkis, BTW, and like the playing a lot. I agree, the 2 disks don't have the same sonics at all, but disk 2 isn't a total disaster, it just isn't up to the standards of disk 1, yes?

Hi Gurn - yep, I was really enjoying that first disc, then put on the second one and was disappointed; Orkis plays well and I'm sure that fortepiano reproduction was in good form - not sure if the church and/or engineering was the issue, but I just felt like I was in a back pew behind a pillar? 

But, I'm goin' to give the set another listen w/ the volume up a little - these 2-CD offerings are such good deals and typically quite good quality on that label.  However, I'll keep my 'eyes & ears' open for other suggestions!  Dave 

[George]

Thus, to reactivate this thread and discuss Schubert's solo piano works - what's new (or old) that can be recommended for the works mentioned below, either on a fortepiano and/or modern instrument to complement my Uchida performances?   

I gotta go with Maria Joao Pires. I recommended her Impromptus to a few people and they loved them (as I do.)

[DarkAngel]

Just got this wonderful new Schubert CD by Andreas Staier, uses a replica 1827 Graf fortepiano.
I hope I am not too biased but this is one of the very best Schubert performances I have heard including modern piano versions, surprisingly subtle and neuanced when called for while not lacking any forward momentum or dramatic contrast, please take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B66hvNSfY0I

Anyone else have this yet?
Bunny this has your name on it........

[Bunny]

Just got this wonderful new Schubert CD by Andreas Staier, uses a replica 1827 Graf fortepiano.
I hope I am not too biased but this is one of the very best Schubert performances I have heard including modern piano versions, surprisingly subtle and neuanced when called for while not lacking any forward momentum or dramatic contrast, please take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B66hvNSfY0I

Anyone else have this yet?
Bunny this has your name on it........

I already have it on order, but it hasn't come yet...

For modern piano, Radu Lupu is probably my favorite with these pieces.

[DarkAngel]

I already have it on order, but it hasn't come yet...

For modern piano, Radu Lupu is probably my favorite with these pieces.

We are on the same page, I am in pretty good shape with Radu Lupu Schubert works so far:

 

[DarkAngel]

Also I am very impressed with historical Schnabel/Emi for Schubert Impromptus, the sound quality is very good and price is super low......