SCHUBERT, F.: Piano Works, Vol. 1 (Oppitz) - Piano Sonata No. 18, D. 894 / 3 Klavierstucke, D. 946 (Franz Schubert)

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Following his nine-disc survey of Beethoven's complete piano sonatas, German pianist Gerhard Oppitz embarked on the piano works of Schubert with this disc coupling his enormous G major Sonata D. 894 with his rapturous Drei Klavierstücke D. 946. As in his Beethoven recordings, Oppitz brings his trademark blend of probity and virtuosity to Schubert, turning in honest accounts of the two works on the program. In Schubert's case, honesty demands honoring the composer's tendency to go on at what Schumann called heavenly lengths -- the opening Molto moderato e cantabile of the G major Sonata, for example, lasts almost 19 minutes -- without ever losing concentration. Thankfully, Oppitz pulls it off. Schubert's lyrical expansiveness in the G major Sonata never seems prolix in his hands but rather as natural as bird song, going from idea to idea with a spontaneity that seems as sincere as it is inexorable. Oppitz accomplishes this by shaping phrases with tempo rubato, sculpting structures with judicious use of ritardandos, and balancing flowing lyricism with harmonic integrity. Though perhaps not quite in the same league as the classic performances by Artur Schnabel, Oppitz's performances surely stand with the best contemporary accounts by Schiff and Brendel. Hänssler's digital sound is evocative, but perhaps a shade too blended compared with the acute clarity of other German labels' sound.
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