Four Impromptus, D899 - No.1 In C Minor: Allegro molto moderato
Four Impromptus, D899 - No.2 In E Flat Major: Allegro
Four Impromptus, D899 - No.3 In G Flat Major: Andante
Four Impromptus, D899 - No.4 In A Flat Major: Allegretto
Four Impromptus, D935 - No.1 In F Minor: Allegro moderato
Four Impromptus, D935 - No.2 In A Flat Major: Allegretto
Four Impromptus, D935 - No.3 In B Flat Major: Theme And Variations
Four Impromptus, D935 - No.4 In F Minor: Allegro Scherzando
Lupu is a keyboard poet, and Schubert's lyrical gems seem as though they were written for his interpretive artistry. He sings the gorgeous melodies with limpid, beautiful tone. The intimacy Lupu achieves in the G-flat impr... more »omptu sounds almost personal, an effect heightened by the transparent engineering. There's a luminosity to Lupu's traversal of these remarkable works that's irresistible; his pianism alternates subtle lights and shades. While the playing is elegant and refined, he doesn't stint on the dramatic contrasts in the music, nor does he neglect the dark poetry that pulls it into deeper regions. There are many fine versions of these classics; Lupu's stands with the best. --Dan Davis« less
Lupu is a keyboard poet, and Schubert's lyrical gems seem as though they were written for his interpretive artistry. He sings the gorgeous melodies with limpid, beautiful tone. The intimacy Lupu achieves in the G-flat impromptu sounds almost personal, an effect heightened by the transparent engineering. There's a luminosity to Lupu's traversal of these remarkable works that's irresistible; his pianism alternates subtle lights and shades. While the playing is elegant and refined, he doesn't stint on the dramatic contrasts in the music, nor does he neglect the dark poetry that pulls it into deeper regions. There are many fine versions of these classics; Lupu's stands with the best. --Dan Davis
CD Reviews
Wonderful
Sen Peng Eu | Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 05/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Few musicians really get the dynamics and the correct articulation hid in Schubert's music. Hence those rare ones who can catch the right Schubert's tempo always give us a very special insight into Schubert's lonely heart. Here is a good example. Lupu handles these pieces with great poetry, in a singing temple only appears in Schubert's work. Via Lupu, I really know what Schubert want to say. It's a wonderful experience. Recommended."
Schubert + Lupu = Pleasure
KSG | New York, NY United States | 12/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first thing that strikes the ear, after the almost mystical playing, is the sound quality. This has to be the most realistic sounding piano recording ever. It is other worldly. As a composer, Schubert was at his most expressive in these profoundly personal pieces. A must have recording."
Lupu is a poet in Schubert!
M. Levitt - classical music buff | Philadelphia, PA | 04/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I felt hesitant buying this recording: My standard for beauty and poetry in Schubert's piano music is the Piano Sonatas, less so the Impromptus. I read how good Radu Lupu was in Schubert but could only find his recording of the Impromptus at my local store - not the Sonatas. I also felt I had heard the Impromptus so many times that I wondered what Lupu could bring to them.
Was I wrong!
Hearing Lupu in the Schubert Impromptus is like hearing them for the first time! A revelation. Lupu is an absolute poet. His playing is so stunning that I bought his recording of the Schubert C Minor Sonata and Moments musicaux (excellent) - and want to hear his other recordings of Schubert. I also got Alfred Brendel's recording of the Schubert Impromptus, which was supposed to be very fine, for comparison (Philips Duo).
At mid price, with digital recording, this CD is a steal.
"
Schubert Impromptus at their best
Sathvik Tantry | 04/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For this record review, I plan to examine to a recording of the eight Schubert Impromptus, D899 and D935, performed by famed pianist Radu Lupu and recorded by Decca Records in 1982. This album has special significance to me as I have personally learnt and performed two of the tracks on the album. In my sophomore year of high school, I was studying the Schubert Impromptu in E Flat Major, a beautiful romantic piece structured in ABA format. It begins with a complex melodic run in Part A, and then changes courses completely, modulating into b minor in a stormy series of chords. Later, the piece recapitulates into the transparent and soothing melody of part A.
My piano teacher had a philosophy in music education that students should always begin learning a piece by understanding how it should be performed. Therefore, she would require me to listen to recordings of the experts: for Chopin, I listened to Rubinstein for inspiration, for Rachmaninoff, Van Cliburn; for Bach, Glenn Gould, and for Schubert, the legendary Radu Lupu.
I was immediately impressed by the quality of Radu Lupu's performance. He had taken such great care in combining his technical prowess with the emotion and subtlety required to carry a romantic piece. I appreciated (and tried hard to replicate) his nuanced use of the pedal and his careful inflection, as well his dramatic yet appropriately timed dynamic contrasts. Because I enjoyed the E Flat Major piece so much, I listened to the entire album, electing to study the a flat minor impromptu as one of my next pieces. I also particularly enjoyed the theme-and-variation Impromptu in B Flat Major and the Rondo-styled impromptu in f minor. All the pieces are performed with incredible technical felicity, yet demonstrate such passion. I quickly realized why my teacher had picked out this recording for me specifically.
The recording itself is of high quality. Clearly, care was taken in selecting a quality piano (probably a Steinway Grand) with the appropriate pure tone and resonance necessary to do justice to Schubert's romantic style. It also appears that the recording was done in a concert hall or large room with considerable reverberation effects in order to simulate a live performance. There was probably little mixing involved, as Radu Lupu was known for taking great pride in the authenticity of his recordings. I decided to experiment by listening to each speaker separately to determine whether the balance levels had been changed; I could not identify any significant difference between the sounds coming from each individual speaker. However, I must admit some bias here. Because I have a preset expectation of what the pieces are supposed to sound like, it is harder for me to determine subtle differences in the actual recording.
If you have a love for classical music from the romantic era, Schubert, or just incredible virtuosity, I highly recommend this album.
"
One of the truly great piano recordings of all time.
M. Levitt - classical music buff | 10/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have the impromptus recorded individually or in complete sets by Lupu, Schnabel, Schiff, Rubinstein, as well as others I am sure. This is the finest in my collection. The sound is crystal clear, and Lupus touch (especially on the G-Flat Major of Op. 90),is not of the realm of mere mortals. All of the others are lovely too, but I would agree with everyone else, Lupus is a must have. It fully lives up to the claim of a legendary recording by Decca."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1