Artur Schnabel plays Schubert Sonata D959 in A major (II)

I. Allegro
- Part I : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyZg1RTS51Y
- Part II : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6CIAiGCOJM

II. Andantino

III. Scherzo - Allegro vivace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhVquc0grvg

IV. Rondo - Allegretto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OybbWvyaPUA

~~~
The three piano sonatas numbered 958 in C minor, 959 in A major and 960 in B-flat major in Deutsch's catalogue of Franz Schubert's complete works are the composer's last major compositions for the piano, often referred to as Last Sonatas. They were written during the last months of Schubert's life, between the spring and autumn of 1828, but were not published until about ten years after his death, in 1838-39. Furthermore, like the rest of Schuberts piano sonatas, they were mostly neglected during the entire 19th century, and have only gradually achieved public appreciation, after more than 100 years since their composition.

Schubert probably began sketching the sonatas sometime around the spring months of 1828; the final versions were written in September. The final sonata was completed on September 26, and two days later, Schubert played from the sonata trilogy at an evening gathering in Vienna. In a letter to Probst (one of his publishers), dated October 2, 1828, Schubert mentioned the sonatas amongst other works he had recently completed and wished to publish. Probst was not interested in the sonatas and by November 19, Schubert was dead.

In the following year Schubert's brother Ferdinand sold the sonatas' autographs to another publisher, Anton Diabelli, who eventually published them about ten years later, in 1838 or 1839. Schubert intended the sonatas to be dedicated to Johann Nepomuk Hummel, whom he greatly admired. Hummel was a leading pianist, a pupil of Mozart, and a pioneering composer of the Romantic style (like Schubert himself). Hummel died before the sonatas were published, and Diabelli decided to dedicate them instead to composer Robert Schumann, who had praised many of Schubert's works in his critical writings.

Schumann, reviewed the works in his Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik in 1838, upon their publication. He seems to have been largely disappointed by the sonatas, criticizing their "much greater simplicity of invention" and Schubert's "voluntary renunciation of shining novelty, where he usually sets himself such high standards", and claiming the sonatas "ripple along from page to page as if without end, never in doubt as to how to continue, always musical and singable, interrupted here and there by stirrings of some vehemence which, however, are rapidly stilled".

Schumann's criticism seems to fit the general negative attitude maintained towards these works during the nineteenth century.

~

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Artur
• Schnabel
• Schubert
• D959
• Brendel
• Gieseking
• Rubinstein
• Serkin
• Ashkenazy
• Bolet
• Eschenbach
• Perahia
• Lupu
• Pollini

[stratisofthesea]

The best interpretation ever

[DMAL1234]

This is such an intimate portrait of sadness. He really plays gestures.

[hashalibi]

This is really a wonderful piece. Thanks.

[Raggedy9]

A wonderful subtlety in this movement is how Schubert repeats the opening F# minor phrase in A major, without altering a note of the melody. Pure genius.

[cabottobac]

Schnabel's Schubert is superb and my favorite of all pianists I have herd to date.

Stephen Kovacevich is very good and well worth listening to.

[TheHenrylaycock]

@xper2xper - Thank you for this illuminating remark. Perhaps you are unduly modest? Your taste seems very good if I may say so [i.e. discerning of what is of real value].

[xper2xper]

@TheHenrylaycock

Clear now, thanks.

To my taste, Schnabel's rendition is out of this world. His sound in this sonata is unbelievable, with all those details he is focusing on. Just see how the left hand contributes to the drama of this Andantino, which becomes an ordinary accompaniment in lots of other renditions.

Although there're quite a few wonderful pianists around, none seems to create the atmosphere Schnabel is capable of, in D959.

At least, as I said, to my taste...

Cheers!

[purpleoscar]

@TheHenrylaycock It is a great version. There is a lot of competition here and my favorites are Brendel (1989) and Pollini. Of course one can own them all. ;)

[TheHenrylaycock]

@purpleoscar But you see, I don't believe that it is 'relatively good' at all; I believe that it is absolutely good, and indeed quite outstandingly so.

[purpleoscar]

@TheHenrylaycock Simply that this is a good version in comparison to many.

[TheHenrylaycock]

@xper2xper The most common meaning of 'nice' I believe is roughly 'pleasant' or 'agreeable'. A work which probes the depths of the human soul might seem to call for terminology having rather less superficial connotations.

[xper2xper]

@TheHenrylaycock

Hi there! Could you please explain what you mean exactly?

Cheers!