Mitsuko Uchida Schubert Live in Concert 23.4.12

[amateur51]

... does anyone know why Staier's D960 has become so mythically unavailable? Is it that the man himself has had second thoughts and prevents reissue??

Surely he hasn't done what Craig Sheppard did with one of his early recordings? (allegedly)

[Sir Monty Golfear]

Surely he hasn't done what Craig Sheppard did with one of his early recordings? (allegedly)

Did Craig Sheppard do that with his Rachmaninov 3 with John Pritchard on CFP as well??

[Bryn]

... does anyone know why Staier's D960 has become so mythically unavailable? Is it that the man himself has had second thoughts and prevents reissue??

I rather doubt that Andreas Staier had much say in the matter. Though D958 and D959 were re-issued for a while on Warner's Elatus label, I don't recall seeing D960 under that flag. Perhaps they were worried it might look like short measure as the only work on a single CD.

[Pianorak]

http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/mitsuko-uchida-royal-festival-hall-0

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/apr/24/mitsuko-uchida-schubert-live-review

You win some - you lose some? Anyway, very pleased for her.

[Pegleg]

The thrid way:

http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=10117

Think I'll listen again.

[Panjandrum]

Seems to be a fair degree of unanimity among the critics; the Indy also doles out garlands rather than brickbats.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/mitsuko-uchida-royal-festival-hall-7675157.html

Still, what do the critics know eh?

[aeolium]

I rarely agree with anything Andrew Clements writes and this is no exception. Re the Steven Osborne recital he refers to, although I did not hear the London performance last year I did hear him play the last 3 sonatas at Cheltenham and that was a much more impressive recital imo than the Uchida one on Monday. Uchida is of course a very fine pianist but I just don't think she was anything near her best in that recital. Sometimes I wonder whether critics hear what they expect and want to hear.

[John Skelton]

I rarely agree with anything Andrew Clements writes ... Sometimes I wonder whether critics hear what they expect and want to hear.

I reckon that's spot on, especially so of AC . Much of the time you can predict what he'll write based on a knowledge of his previous work, and with uncanny accuracy (down to the usual formulations).

[Panjandrum]

Clements is a law to himself; witness his review of Barry Douglas' latest Brahms recital. While admiring much of his playing, Clements gave the record only 2 stars (out of 5) for the simple expedient that he did not care for the juxtaposition of compositions.

[John Skelton]

Clements is a law to himself; witness his review of Barry Douglas' latest Brahms recital. While admiring much of his playing, Clements gave the record only 2 stars (out of 5) for the simple expedient that he did not care for the juxtaposition of compositions.

He didn't like Douglas breaking up the 'sets' of pieces? It's an excellent CD (IMO) with a rich and varied account of the 'Handel Variations', so I hope Clements hasn't put people off it.

[Bryn]

Having not listened 'live' on Monday night, not being a particular fan of Uchida's Philips recordings of the Schubert sonatas, and having read the rather negative views expressed here regarding the performance, I have only today steeled myself to listen to the recital via the iPlayer's HD Sound facility. O.k., there a few finger slips, but so what? I'd much rather hear tightrope risk-taking performances such as these than note perfect 'safe' ones. I just wish she would wait for the audience to stop fidgeting before starting the next movement each time.

[Pianorak]

More garlands from the FT

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/3297365c-8eb9-11e1-ac13-00144feab49a.html#axzz1t4Q26HB7