Search - Franz Schubert, Aebersold and Neiweem Piano Duo, Clare Aebersold :: Schubert: Four-Hand Piano Works, Vol. 1: Rondo in D Major, D. 608; Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 617; Duo in A Minor, D. 947 ("Lebensstürme"); Rondo in A Major, D.951; Fantasy in F Minor, D. 940; Fugue in E Minor, D. 952

A Masterpiece of Rare Treasures

Daniel R | Seattle, WA | 08/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first thing I noticed about this recording was that its recording quality is very high. The Steinway piano sounds rich and beautiful, and you can here everything clearly--which is very important for duets. It does not sound muddy, and the treble is not weak.



Second, I had never heard of Aebersold and Neiweem before, not knowing what to think of them, but I checked vol. 2 of this series, and saw the critic's reviews, the Washington Post, "brilliant...dazzling the full house," and Gramophone, "Utterly charming...Aebersold and Neiweem play together like one extremely refined and dexterous pianist." I agree 100%. They ARE simply amazing, their performance style is great, and I'm surprised that I'm the first person to review them on Amazon.



However, the music selections on this CD, even fans of Schubert may feel, is at times slightly dry or lifeless--that is sometimes the nature of Schubert's or other composer's piano duets. The Lebensstrume, for example, is one movement and 12 minutes, and at times doesn't seem to be going anywhere. But most of the Cd isn't like that.



Also, the main pieces on here are the double sonata no. 1 in B-flat, the Fantasie in F-minor, and the outer movements of an incomplete 3rd sonata. Fortunately another great recording of Schubert piano duets is the Barenboim/Lupu Cd on TelDec Records with the Military Marches, and the sonata no. 2. The selections on the Cd's don't overlap each other, and together constitute all of the great Schubert piano duet pieces! They make a great pair of recordings of each other. How lucky is that? Most of Schubert's other piano duet music are pretty much just variations for amateur pianists.



I consider this recording to be at as high a level as the popular Silk-Thories/Matthies series of Brahms piano duets on the Naxos label. The only thing bad about this Cd is the price, $19, which is a lot. There is also a competing Album of Hinterhuber/Gulda on Naxos with the Fantasie and incomplete 3rd sonata, but without the 1st sonata, for $7, which is a steal. It is not quite as high quality as this album, but still very good. Either way, this recording is highly recommended."

A program that deserves the highest praise

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like its companion volume, the first installment of Schubert's four-hand piano music from Aebersold nad Neiween brings musicianship of the highest caliber. Both are superb players, and it is uncanny how hard one has to try to detect that there are two minds, much less four hands, at play. The program contains nothing but wonderful music, but the A major "Grand Rondo" and F minor Fantasy represent late Schubert at his most inpsired, which means that this is music of Elysian beauty. Musicians love to join at the keyboard, but audiences don't love to pay to hear them. This CD contains no stellar names, but it is altogether delightful and deserves a wide reputation."