Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Ricardo Castro, Maria-João Pires :: Schubert: Résonances de l'Originaire

Schubert Is in Good Hands--Four of Them

M. C. Passarella | Lawrenceville, GA | 09/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The nice thing about concept albums such as those that DG graciously--in this day when artistry must bow to cost accounting--allows Maria Joao Pires to put together is that even if you have some of the music in other incarnations, the interpretations are usually so freshly thought out that you don't mind duplicating. I have most of this music on other discs, as most Schubertians will, and in fact have Pires' earlier recording, with Huseyin Sermet, of the Fantasie in F minor on the Erato label. The earlier interpretation is a fine one, though there is a greater poignancy in the DG performance; the deep sadness inherent in this music is almost heartbreakingly conveyed. This is a special performance indeed.



Both discs also contain interpretations of the Rondo in A major, and it's interesting to note that Pires/Castro shave almost half a minute off the time of Pires/Sermet. This is, of course, comparatively sunny and untroubled music, but I think the slower tempo lets the piece smile a little more. So I favor Pires/Sermet in this music. But at least Pires is not tied slavishly to a single conception of the work.



As to the Sonata D. 664, Pires turns in a gentle, delicately shaded performance that I find does full justice to the work. The same can be said for Ricardo Castro's performance of the less characteristic A minor sonata. Here, the long, ruminative first movement is pure Schubert, but the second movement is, for Schubert, almost aphoristic, and the last movement is an equally atypical toccata-like affair though with a tender second melody that, again, could only be the work of the Austrian master. Castro's sure finger work and ringing tone are just as welcome here as is his fine hushed playing in the slow movement.



I was not familiar with the "Lebenssturme" (Storms of Life), but hearing it, I understand why nineteenth-century composers after Schubert's death thought that the four-hand piano music contained disguised symphonies and symphonic movements. This allegro is an example of the "heavenly length" that Schumann praised and seems almost too generously endowed for the intimate nature of the piano duet experience. Like Schubert's late symphonic works, "Lebenssturme" suggests the composer's Beethovenian interest in structures based on brief musical motives, and in fact the piece is so intent on a single four-note motive that it could almost be called monothematic. The gorgeous, long-breathed second melody and stormy first melody are both built up from this figure.



Pires and Castro luxuriate in Schubert's passionate and beautiful drama. At almost eighteen minutes, their performance may dawdle a bit, and I'd appreciate just a tad more storminess at critical junctures, but I can't imagine a performance more sensitive to the beauty of hope and striving that Schubert found amid the storms of his own brief, sad life. Overall, this is a lovely, loving, and tender performance.



I wish I could have learned a bit more about the music, but the notes to the recording, written by a psychoanalyst, are pure bombast that has nothing to do either with the music or with Schubert's psyche. DG always offers this sort of palaver along with their concept albums, whether by Pires or Grimaud. They could save the paper as far as I'm concerned; I only came for the music anyway. DG does also offer a full, rich recording made in Portugal, though.



Recommended for Pires fans and Schubert fanciers alike."

A Schubertiade for Four Hands and Two Great Pianists

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Music written expressly for the piano for four hands is not as rare as first thought: many composers transcribed some of their works for either chamber or full orchestra to this version, creating what they felt would be a larger audience in the salon situation.



It is a particular joy to hear works written expressly for four hands by Franz Schubert. The works on this two disc recording are brilliantly performed by Maria Joao Pires and Ricardo Castro whose collaboration truly sounds as one pianist with many fingers! For sheer beauty of tone and integration of essence it would be difficult to imagine a more perfect performance of the 'Fantasie In F Minor For Piano Four Hands'. It is wondrously seamless and joyful. But the same could be said for the other works that are included on this generous recital - 'Rondo In A Major For Piano Four Hands', 'Allegro In A Minor For Piano Four Hands 'Lebenssturme', etc.



Pires and Castro are musically and expressively joined at the hip (or the palms!) and truly make these Schubert pieces sing. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 05"

This Duo is magic !!!!!

Renato Sau Rios | Santos , SP BRASIL | 01/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw these great pianists at Sala São Paulo , last October , playing only Mozart Piano Concertos , with OSESP .

It was marvellous .

They sign my album's cover .

Maria João is transcendent playing "Jeunne-homme" concert .

Ricardo Castro is a very sensitive pianist .

Astonishing record !

Schubert would be gratefull for such performance ............"