BaL 28.02.14 - Schubert: Piano Sonata no 20 in A D959

[Alison]

I haven't heard it since it was first released (twelve years ago! What happens to the time?!) - I remember being very impressed (more so than with Uchida, whose Schubert I "admire" and "respect" rather than find irresistable), but couldn't afford it; and, if it had bowled me over, I would have found the funds!

I must dig it out again. 'Fresh' and 'beautifully recorded' are my memories. Worth stressing that the set of late sonatas issued in 2013 is partly made up of two 2002 recordings including D959.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Worth stressing that the set of late sonatas issued in 2013 is partly made up of two 2002 recordings including D959.

Indeed - and that double CD set can be bought for considerably less than the price of the original issue twelve years ago!

[DoctorT]

I bought this recently, being a big Lewis fan, and listened to it yesterday. Along with Perahia, I think that will do me, but BaL may change my mind! Looking forward to this.
OT, has anyone heard PL's Mussorgsky Pictures recording!

[Nick Armstrong]

Website page now corrected: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b053zr20

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Only now, having heard Sarah Walker saying "D959" do I feel fully secure that we got it right.

[Nick Armstrong]

....... well, that BaL has certainly set the thread on a roar.


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[clive heath]

Joining late, I was interested to hear the close attention paid to the score as a means of preferring one or other of the performers.

[Bryn]

....... well, that BaL has certainly set the thread on a roar. ...

Been too busy trying to find the Bilson at a price I was prepared to for out. I have given up in that one now. Should have struck when found one at £7.50. When I went back it had gone and the lowest price was then £9.95 plus p&p. The complete 7 disc survey seems to be generally unavailable at the moment.

[Bryn]

Joining late, I was interested to hear the close attention paid to the score as a means of preferring one or other of the performers.

Though not the ultimate determining factor.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i can not speak to the final choice, was pleased to hear Perahia and Kempf referenced but prefer the transcendental myself and find the earthy a tad wooden .... it was a reasonable if rather jumpily connected and edited survey and i found my anticipations of SW to be rather more than she delivered [given her own work as a musician and pianist] but her attention to recording qualities was noticeable and welcome

[waldo]

Good to see Eschenbach get some recognition for a change.........what an underrated pianist (and conductor) he is.

At least it wasn't that monster of blandness, Brendel.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A very considered and well-balanced BaL - making it clear that this was a personal preference and giving very good reasons why she arrived at her choice, as well as illustrating those she was less keen on fairly.


I hated it!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Just joshing! I think it was the best way to approach BaL - like the competent owner of a well-stocked record shop giving advice to a customer asking for a recommendation.

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes not a bad one, although this survey oddly seemed less... substantial somehow than Swain on the Ravel or Heighes on the Bach.

But much of what SW said made sense to me, and the recorded sound of the Eschenbach stood out as instantly involving and attractive (ditto, the Radu Lupu, to me, the sound of which she criticised). By contrast, I really do not like the sound or the style of Paul Lewis's recording and was pleased that wasn't the Union-Jack-waving final choice. And Uchida's fussing with the music I also found arch and uninvolving - great live, perhaps, but...

Pity the winner isn't downloadable; or available on a single disc.

[BBMmk2]

Will the winner be typed in bold type when the result is known, still?