Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Malcolm Bilson :: Schubert: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 5

Highly Recommended

Jonathan J. Casey | the twin cities | 09/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is the B flat major piano sonata one of Schubert's greater works, this is a damn fine recording. Bilson's 1830 fortepiano sounds wonderful, with some of the most powerful, rich low notes I've ever heard. The sound is great and the performance is excellent. Bilson displays a wonderful sensitivity to this work, proving his stamina in the opening molto moderato along with a very moving andante sostenuto. You may find yourself listening repeatedly to that second movement before taking in the rest, as I have on occasion. The unfinished sonata is here given Bilson's own completion, though he argues in the liner notes that it may've been intended as a two-movement work. I admit I was suspicious of the Hungaroton label, and the silly cover art gave me further hesitation (Malcolm Bilson in FOUR POSES!) but I was really taken with the music. Schubert may very well be my favorite piano composer and this is certainly one of my favorite fortepiano recordings."