Customer Reviews

Schubert: Piano Sonata in E-flat major, D. 568, 6 Moments musicaux

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The piano works of Franz Schubert are some of the most personal works in the literature. Mitsuko Uchida, now considered the premiere interpreter of Schubert's Sonatas and other works for the piano, here performs quiet magic with the E-flat major sonata. Her warmth and attention to the inner melodic lines which Schubert develops so completely make this recording have the feeling we are in a private performance, and part of that must be attributed to the fine engineering by Philips. This sonata is not thundering Schubert, but instead is a work by the young Schubert just beginning to explore his gifts.

Coupled with this fairly short sonata (about thirty minutes in Uchida's hands) is accompanied by a reading of the beloved 'Moments musicaux' in as beautiful a performance as has been captured on recording. Uchida emphasizes the song quality of these pieces, as though setting the stage for the many later song cycles for voice and piano Schubert would write and Uchida would work in collaboration! This is elegant music for quiet moments, for private introspection. A stunning CD. Grady Harp, April 05

When speaking of Schubert's keyboard output, for many years I have counted - among the living pianists - only Alfred Brendel and Radu Lupu on my short list of greatest interpreters. Their artistic trajectories and personal gifts seem particularly shaped for the delicate, perfumed melodies and playful rhythms Schubert - towering the border between Classical and Romantic eras - conjured up so often in his work.

However, I must gladly admit my short list has slightly enlarged lately, especially since I encountered Mitsuko Uchida's renditions gathered in a splendid collection of 8 CDs (issued by Philips five years ago), of which the one under consideration here bears number 1 though it was recorded (in 2001) towards the end of her Schubert traversal. It comprises a lively - and lovely - Sonata in E flat major D568 (dating from 1817) and those unparalleled 6 Moments musicaux D780.

The Sonata in E flat major D 568, belonging to the early years in Schubert creation, breathes thus an infectious optimism, unfolding vivid rhythms and charming melodies by exploring a light-hearted mood. Uchida plays it in a magisterial way, with great care for the minute detail, but keeping a sense of narration throughout, never losing the main line or stepping out the proper pace. Each movement receives its own touch, the lyrical "Andante molto" delicately follows that playful "Allegro moderato" based on haunting frisky melodies. The final movement also sparks in Uchida's hands, whose joy of playing such a wonderful music is more than obvious.
Then, what an inspiration in Moments musicaux! How serene dances the No.3 in F minor! What colours of resignation emerge from the placid No.6 in A flat major! How lyrical and wrapping the No.2 in A flat major occurs!

Mitsuko Uchida proves to be one of the greatest pianists of our time, uniquely combining in her playing an undiminished powerful technique with a noble sense of transcendence. She rethinks all she plays, putting the score in a subtle accord with both her profound feelings and robust knowledge. In Schubert, this is the way to achieve seductive and truly faithful accounts. Therefore, now in my preferences this special Japanese pianist has definitely - and definitively! - gathered the select group of accomplished Schubertians bringing her unique and inspired insight to a delightful music for ages.

I got the CD because I had no edition of Schubert's D568 piano sonata. Mitsouko Uchida's rendition is very good, intense and clear. The Moments musicaux are even better. I have listened to her live and think she is one of the most interesting pianist of her generation

This CD, containing the less frequently played Eb Piano Sonata, D.568 and the 6 Moments musicaux, D.780, is poetic, searching and beautifully played. Unlike her recording of the D major and lesser A minor sonatas, which I felt were over-interpreted to the music's detriment, Uchida lets the music speak for itself.

Highly recommended.

The two main pieces performed in this CD precisely convey the sense of pleasure of intuitive listening. The combination of Schubert's jaunty notes and Uchida's freer interpretation makes this CD less formalistically didactic but more fun of listening. The playing is free,fluid, but careful of brushing out the emotional contrast as the piano sketches every sonic nuances. Though,it's (a bit) mechanically blithe (as some critics suggest), it seems that Uchida's personal interprertation of Schubertian intuitive composition is stylisticall justifiable!