Schubert: Impromptus For Piano

treasure this album

since i went to his small concert for the first time back in early 80s, i was fascinated by him.
i have been in many concerts in my life and he was not known well in that time, i was enchanted by his magical "pianissimo" touch forever.
since then i went to his concert whenever i could but the first encounter with him in La Jolla, i will never forget it.
nobody, no pianist has played Chopin like him before.
he doesn't show off his technique ,he doesn't challenge you to understand his music, he doesn't try to make money but he just shows you his world and invite you in it, you cannot help but being spellbound...
September 20, 2008

A marvellous set of collection!

Schubert' s Impromptus are like a gallery of lofty pieces united by a veiled and inextinguishable melancholy all the way through.

The four pieces that integrate the Op. 99 are much more introspective and incorporeally lyric in its essence. After the introspective First Impromptu, we listen a lovely theme ornamented by lofty arpeggios, the third is thoughtful and reflexive too, the Four Impromptu has been by far one of the most exquisite filigrees ever composed by any other composer, its lyrical effluvium and conveying melody has been to many the most reminded and beloved of the first set.

The second set of Impromptus (Op. 142) is much more dramatic, structurally more compact and deep in character. They possess an admirable melodic structure and a visible dreamlike atmosphere. The last of them is the most vigorous and virile of both sets.

Among the best versions we may cite Edwin Fischer, Radu Luou and Wilhelm Kempff , but this in this case we have an additional charm, it`s the incorporeal gratitude given by an Impressionistic vision that really shows hidden facets of these marvellous works.

Absolutely recommendable.
September 3, 2008

The Master Checked

Murray Perahia is perhaps among the three most vituoso pianists of our time. He has a proclivity to play ostentatiously, i.e. show off his talent at every available opportunity. This gamble usually pays off. In this case, however, in my opinion, he slightly overshoots the target. The Schubert impromptus are meant to sound like subtle and self-effacing songs and not symphonies or sonatas, into which they grow in this interpretation. While this is not perhaps the definitive performance, lovers of Schubert and Perahia will cherish the recording as a valuable part of their collection. March 28, 2008

OMFG!

Perahia's recording of Schubert is amazing! Every track on this CD is moving, insightful, and fun. Though the only other renditions I've heard are Horowitz's 899 #4 and Brendel's 899 #3, I liked Perahia's versions more. The beginning of Perahia's 899#4 is like a nice psychoacoustic tickle. All of the other impromptus also have interesting moments that touch multiple senses during careful listening, but can also serve as gentle background music. March 25, 2008

Magnificent Schubert by Perahia

I scarcely knew Murray Perahia art. It is astonishing in these Schubert's pieces, of unmistakable gentleness and energy. The pianist works magnificently the tough nuances and alternations of the master. Five stars. Excellent. March 1, 2008

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