Search - Julia Fischer, Martin Helmchen :: Schubert: Complete Works for Violin and Piano, Vol. 2

Violinist Julia Fischer is a professional at the piano, too,

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/29/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Having covered the three sonatinas for violin in Vol. I of the series, Julia Fischer wasn't left with enough music for violin to fill a whole Cd. Being an accomplished pianist, she here tackles one of Schubert's greatest four-hand compositions, the Fantasie in F. Thus the program is



Schubert:

Grand Duo for Violin and Piano in A Major, D574

Fantasie in C major for violin and piano, D934

Fantasie in F minor for piano duet, D940



The late Deutsch catalog numbers lead one to expect three masterpieces, but the term must include a rather simplified approach to the violin on Schubert's part. He calls for less technique than, say, Beethoven did in his violin sonatas. To really make these works come across requires a special attunement to the way Schubert hides depth of feeling behind simplicity of expression -- his songs fall into the same pattern. Fischer is still young at 26, and although she has natural musicality, I can't say that she found the magic key. Compare the opening to the Fantasie in C or the slow movement based on the tender lied "Sei mir gegrusst" with the account by Isabelle Faust, and Fischer seems lacking in mystery and charm. She is never less than very good, however, and although pianist Martin Helmchen strikes me as rather faceless, they pair nicely.



My impression of blandness was underlined by the Fantasie in F, which begins almost timidly. We have characterful recordings of this work including those by Britten and Richter and Kissin with James Levine. There's not much reason for a straightforward, competent reading other than to amaze us with Fischer's versatility. rhythms are foursquare, the phrasing isn't especially original or personal. Tempos are on the cautious side, and the two pianists don't sound like an experienced pair -- they sound like two talented musicians sitting down at the piano for a nice afternoon of music-making.



In all, a good-enough CD that has no special attraction to put it ahead of its many rivals in these works."

A lovely performance of these three works

Warren Harris | 06/25/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Franz Schubert was a master tunesmith, and the melodies are so friendly to the ear and approachable that the difficulty inherent in bringing this music to life is frequently glossed over. Julia Fischer and Martin Helmchen clearly demonstrate what is possible when Schubert's Violin and Piano duos are given the treatment they deserve.



All of the pieces on this disc are played as though the listener is privy to a discussion between two old and dear friends, the violin and piano in the first two pieces, and two pianos in the last piece. The second piece (D.934) is particularly sensitively played, each instrument responding to what the other has to say, and doing so tenderly and expressively. Similarly, the two pianos in the F minor Fantasia blend and pull apart, and playfully come back together again. This is wonderful music, expertly performed. And the recording quality of the Super Audio CD is simply amazing. I very much enjoyed this recording. Highly recommended!

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