Search - Pollini, Schubert :: Schubert: Piano Sonata, D 959; Allegretto, D915; Piano Pieces, D946

Beg, borrow, or steal

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DG is reshuffling the contents of the classic Schubert albums Pollini made, but however you manage to acquire them, his rreadings of the last three sonatas (D. 958, D. 959, D. 960) rank among the best Schubert playing ever committed to disc. They are brilliantly played without excessive sentiment and no applied "charm"--this is Schubert approached at the level of late Beethoven. But Pollini realizes that Schubert isn't Beethoven, and in particular there are long stretches of repetition, as in Bruckner, where the classical sonata, although still in view, loses its rigor. Happily, Pollini is a master of Chopin interpretation, and he brings to bear a touch so refined that he can tweak out changes of mood, accent, and rhythm that illuminate Schubert from the inside. Radu Lupu has the same ability, but I find Pollini's imagination more congenial because of its variety and surprise.



Are these mere nuances? I think quite the opposite. Schubert's scores have minimal expressive directions, implying that a lot is left to the interpreter. If someone argues that the absence of markings indicates that the composer wanted a straight-faced, literal performance style -- as many do -- one needs only to point to Schubert's songs. They, too, have minimal expression markings, yet a world of possibilities exists beneath the surface. The same holds true for the piano sonatas, and Pollini is an inspired guide to what they mean."

Elegant, Dramatic Performances From Pollini Of These Schuber

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maurizio Pollini's interpretation of this Schubert Piano Sonata (D 959) may not satisfy those accustomed to more lyrical interpretations from the likes of Wilhelm Kempff and Alfred Brendel. Instead, it is a fiery, dramatic reading, which Pollini plays as if it was a late Beethoven piano sonata. The four shorter pieces which accompany the D 959 piano sonata also receive similar treatment from Pollini, of which my favorite is the first of the Three Piano Pieces, D 946, which Pollini still performs often as an encore in his concerts. I still strongly recommend this recording to those unfamiliar with Pollini's vision of Schubert's piano scores; it is a vision which is replete with ample warmth and compassion, as well as fiery dramatic interpretations of Schubert's music. This CD is part of a special compilation devoted to Pollini's Deutsche Grammophon recordings; those on this CD were recorded in the early to mid 1980s under the supervision of his long-time producer Rainter Brock. If this is the only Pollini recording of Schubert's piano music that you acquire, then it will be a most worthy acquisition."

Warmth, wisdom, and compassion

Ilya Rabinovich | Bethesda, MD United States | 01/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maestro Pollini found warmth, wisdom, and compassion in the sonata and pieces, exactly what is the Schubert's music about. I think this is the best Schubert's interpretation along with Lupu's Impromptus and Moments Musicaux"