Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Stephen Hough :: Schubert Sonatas

Excellent interpretation

Tom | Toronto,, Ontario, Canada | 12/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have never heard of Stephen Hough before being given this CD, but he has created a masterful interpretation of Schubert's final piano sonata. It is the equal of Kovacevich's interpretation, though stylistically very different, and surpasses just about everything else in the catalog. Obviously the pianist has given the work a great deal of thought with the result that this interpretation seems to come from another world entirely. Other pianists have focused on the inward quality of the work, but no other pianist has displayed the degree of concentration necessary to sustain such a haunted interpretation throughout all four movements of the work. A prodigious achievement."

SOME BEAUTIFUL SCHUBERT

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Schubert's A minor sonata has always been one of my favorites. I just love its extreme passions and moods! Stephen Hough plays it splendidly delivering its extreme moods very well. Nevertheless, due to this recording, I am now completely in love with the B flat major sonata. Although, I've heard the B flat played many, many times, this recording is the first performance that really touched my very soul. What a marvelous piece of music the B flat major sonata (D.960) is and it is played magnificently by Mr. Hough. Mainly because of Stephen's playing, I've added the composition to my "Favorite List"! Stephen Hough also plays the C major wonderfully; however, the highlight, for me, is the B flat major Sonata.



If you want to hear some beautiful Schubert played divinely, buy this disc.

"

A fine addition to Schubert Piano Sonata recordings

M. Levitt - classical music buff | Philadelphia, PA | 05/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD I had been eager to acquire, and hear because it: 1) got rave reviews*, and 2) contains Schubert's almost never heard Piano Sonata in C Major, D. 613 (unfinished).



The highlight of the CD is Stephen Hough's performance of Schubert's Piano Sonata in Bb, D.960, which is gorgeous, one of the finest recorded versions of this sublime piece that I have ever heard. Hough's playing is spellbinding, deeply felt and poetic. I'd rate it on par with the versions by Kempff (the complete Schubert piano sonatas), Kovacevich (EMI), and possibly Brendel (Philips, paired with Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy).



Compared to his performance of the Bb Piano Sonata, Hough's version of the A Minor Sonata is slightly disappointing. It seems more a "recorded performance," not as deeply felt, moving or spontaneous as the Bb. (The Bb and A Minor Sonatas were recorded almost a year apart.)



The C Major Piano Sonata - a two movement work - Hough records is interesting. It is not the same as Schubert's unfinished Piano Sonata in C Major ("Relique"). It is not as fine or substantial as the Relique Sonata, but I'm glad Hough recorded it.



The sound is fine. The notes to the CD are written by Stephen Hough.



*Hyperion Records has an invaluable, searchable website that can be accessed by composer, artist(s) etc. with listings of each work on their CDs, performer(s), critical reviews, artist and composer homepages (with all their available recordings), soundbites of selected CDs, and a "listening room.""