Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Jenö Jandó :: Schubert: Piano Sonatas, Opp. 42 & 122

Excellent Advocacy for These Less-Well-Known Sonatas

05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Sonata in A minor D 845 (1825), while not as popular as its near contemporaries D 850 and D 894, for me is a more striking work. Maybe it's just that listeners favor major-key over minor-key Schubert, because D 845 shares with the three great sonatas of Schubert's last year a symphonic scope that listeners seem to admire in the composer's piano works. And D 845 is nearly as grand and majestic as the last sonatas. Even the second movement--which is a set of five variations on a folksy, landler-like theme very typical of the composer--is full of high drama and brooding passages reminiscent of late Schubert, such as found in the Fantasy for piano four hands or the slow movement of my favorite Schubert sonata, D 959. Also, D 845 includes one of those heroic scherzos that recall the String Quintet and Great C Major Symphony, as well as an aptly impulsive, quicksilver rondo finale. Quite a sonata, then!The Sonata D 568 is apparently a revision and completion of a sonata Schubert started in 1817 and was conceived as part of the series of grand sonatas that includes D 845, D 850, and D 894. While not the equal of D 845, it is a charming and beautifully crafted work full of fine Schubertian melodies.This natural pairing is handled ably by Jeno Jando. In fact, this is one of the finest solo piano recordings I've heard by him. Here, he seems a born Schubertian: his approach is straightforward and unfussy, but he catches the drama and the varied emotions of these works in admirable fashion. For a sample of the clean but subtly shaded finger work he brings to these sonatas, turn to the finale of D 845. Excellent sound engineering from Naxos too. I would recommend this enthusiastically at twice the price Naxos is asking."

Two outstanding sonatas played to perfection

Hexameron | 02/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jeno Jando has once again produced a superlative rendition of Schubert's wondrous but oft-neglected piano sonatas. Jando made some phenomenal recordings of the D. 959 and D. 850 on Naxos, and he continues to excel with his spirited and nuanced playing. These two sonatas are some of Schubert's best before the titanic last three. Their quality combined with Jando's superb execution definitely merits this disc a solid 5-star rating, in my opinion.



Composed in 1825, the D. 845 Sonata in A minor (No. 16) encapsulates Schubert's stunning melodic brilliance and colossal heroism. The first movement, for instance, contains some of Schubert's grandest themes. Jando's impassioned but sensitive playing only aids the impressive aura of this Moderato movement, 12 minutes of towering music. The Andante is in more of a Scherzo or Allegretto mood, but reaches some incredible moments of majesty and excitement. Again, Jando is in full-form here, intimately connecting us with these wonderful Schubert melodies. Speaking of melodies, I must say that Schubert has an amazing knack for creating the most endearing and substantial Scherzo themes. In the A minor Sonata's Scherzo we find a strong and lively memorable Scherzo theme with a pleasing trio section for a respite. And to top this monumental work off, we have an extremely engrossing Rondo movement, full of stalwart chords and rapid passagework. Jando is at a zenith of Schubertian brio and lyricism, a unity that is balanced to perfection with Jando's fingers.



In the E flat major Sonata D. 568 (No. 7), I think there is clear evidence of Schubert's growing powers as a piano composer. This work was composed in 1817 and comprises four movements of astounding quality. The opening Allegro movement features a gorgeous theme in the style of Beethoven. It is profoundly dramatic for its time and Schubert's development of themes are just as melodic as the themes themselves. Jando's lean and sturdy performance of this movement is to be commended. In the soulful Andante, Schubert strives to meet the sublimity and poignancy of Beethoven's early adagios. While not exactly reaching the same plateau, he comes miraculously close. And Jando plays with such a depth of emotion and musicality that I feel completely in touch with Schubert's meditative mood. Somewhat similar in melancholy, the angelic Menuetto sounds like a Chopin waltz; one wonders if Schubert would have outshined Chopin's lyricism had he lived longer. In the last movement, Schubert's proximity with Beethoven is apparent. While he detaches himself at times for Mozartian zest, he invariably returns to noble ideas reminiscent of Beethoven. The whole work is a monumental achievement for his age.



Bottom line: This recording offers two magnificent sonatas from Schubert's opus that deserves some immense attention. The A minor Sonata is a masterpiece and the earlier E flat major sonata is just as convincing with its virile first and heavenly second movement. Jeno Jando has surprised me yet again; Schiff and Uchida are not so illustrious it seems, when Jando enters the competition. Highly Recommended."