Search - Schubert, Rostal, Horsley :: Sonatine in a Minor

Fine playing by an underrated master

Tom Poore | South Euclid, OH | 02/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Born in Cieszyn in 1905, Max Rostal studied with Carl Flesch. Although he shared Flesch's virtuosity and musical integrity, he became better known as a teacher. While still in his 20's he was the youngest teacher at the Berlin Hochschule, and for many years served on the faculties of the Guildhall School of Music, the Berlin State Academy of Music, and the Bern Conservatory. His name can be found in the bios of many of today's artists, including members of the Amadeus Quartet. Editor for many music editions, he also wrote the highly regarded book "Beethoven: The Sonatas for Piano and Violin, Thoughts on Their Interpretation." He died in Bern in 1991. Rostal never had an international performing career, but his playing was admired among connoisseurs. His early playing was engaged and fiery, but in time it refined to embrace a greater intellectual depth without losing its focused and warm tone. This rare Symposium release (with notes by Max Rostal himself) features an all Schubert program recorded in the late 1950s. The recorded sound is very good, and the accompaniment by Colin Horsley is sympathetic and refined."