Schubert: Fantasia in C D760, Op15; Fantasia in C D934, Op159

Editorial Reviews
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Despite their basic differences, these two Schubert Fantasies share certain characteristics: the title, the tonality, a set of variations on a song, and a somewhat uneasy combination of flamboyant virtuosity and intimate introspection. Both require utmost brilliance as well as profound inwardness of expression, and both are ferociously difficult to perform. Indeed, the duo Fantasie's violin part, as originally written, contains passages that are impossible to execute; Shiokawa adopts certain traditional, only recently discarded simplifications. The piano Fantasie, later nicknamed "The Wanderer" for its variations on the song of the same name, was written in 1822, the duo six years later. The former is a popular favorite; the latter is seldom played. Though he's renowned for his Schubert interpretations, this is András Schiff's first recording of the "Wanderer." Schiff previously admitted that he felt no kinship with its "two-fisted piano writing," so different from Schubert's usual style, but he has obviously found a way to make it his own. His approach, unlike most other pianists', is essentially lyrical, singing, gracious, poised, and unusually expansive, with plenty of time to caress every melody, every harmony change and modulation with loving care. Though it has plenty of power and vitality, there is nothing "two-fisted" about this extraordinary, uniquely personal performance. The duo Fantasie is also played extremely well, but the Variations are too fast, intense, and restless, and the violin sounds remote and subdued, almost turning the work into a piano piece and undercutting its chamber-music quality. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

Fantasie C-Dur fvier op. 15 D 760 ('Wanderer - Fantasie')
Fantasie C-Dur fline und Klavier op. posth. 159 D 934

Amazon.com

Despite their basic differences, these two Schubert Fantasies share certain characteristics: the title, the tonality, a set of variations on a song, and a somewhat uneasy combination of flamboyant virtuosity and intimate introspection. Both require utmost brilliance as well as profound inwardness of expression, and both are ferociously difficult to perform. Indeed, the duo Fantasie's violin part, as originally written, contains passages that are impossible to execute; Shiokawa adopts certain traditional, only recently discarded simplifications. The piano Fantasie, later nicknamed "The Wanderer" for its variations on the song of the same name, was written in 1822, the duo six years later. The former is a popular favorite; the latter is seldom played. Though he's renowned for his Schubert interpretations, this is András Schiff's first recording of the "Wanderer." Schiff previously admitted that he felt no kinship with its "two-fisted piano writing," so different from Schubert's usual style, but he has obviously found a way to make it his own. His approach, unlike most other pianists', is essentially lyrical, singing, gracious, poised, and unusually expansive, with plenty of time to caress every melody, every harmony change and modulation with loving care. Though it has plenty of power and vitality, there is nothing "two-fisted" about this extraordinary, uniquely personal performance. The duo Fantasie is also played extremely well, but the Variations are too fast, intense, and restless, and the violin sounds remote and subdued, almost turning the work into a piano piece and undercutting its chamber-music quality. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A ravishing edition!.......2006-02-13

Andras Schiff has possibly the best and most complete sense of the span respect Franz Schubert `s playing in the actual musical scene. W must recognize the presence of the young and so well renowned pianist Mitzuko Ushida but we will have to wait a decade at least to establish a fair comparing, Schubert sounds with such radiance, brightness, mercurial expression and scented phrasing that immediately evocate to the great pianists of the past such Schnabel, Fisher or Badura Skoda.

Many years ago around a kind meeting with a group of fervent music lovers, I stated the imperious necessity to establish a spiritual bridge between Mozart and Schubert and noticed them the enormous lack of expression by any pianist who played Schubert without crossing Mozartian universe. It is like to conduct Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich without a full knowledge of the Mahlerian ocean. It is not a simple duty but a simple question of enriching the score

Go for those works that will let you amazed after you listened. Schubert is in Forties and that 's a very good point to his favor.

Bravo maestro!

Great recording.......2000-06-14

I was surprised when I saw this CD. Schiff has previously said that he will not record the "Wanderer Fantasy" by Schubert. He said that the work is written for virtuosity. So many pianists have recorded it already that there is no need for him to record. However, I have heard Schiff play the "Wanderer Fantasy" in a video from a live recording. He played it so well in his style where he makes the piano sing and full of expression. Now, its on CD! I bought it right away since I like Schiff's Schubert.

The tempo is very slow and full of expression. Especially in the slow second movement. Like other Schubert recordings by Schiff, he uses the crystal clear Bosendorfer piano. I have never heard of the "Wanderer Fantasy" being played this way before by any other pianists.

The other Fantasy for violin and piano is also on this disk. Schiff plays it with Shiokawa, his wife, who also has very clear bright sound on the violin.

Again, this is the newest recording of Schubert by Schiff, the great interpreter of Schubert who recorded all of Schubert sonatas.

Doubled Fantasy!.......2000-06-14

Unlike other Schubert works, these two pieces, "Fantasie(D934)" and "Wandererfantasie (D760)" are not composed from 4-movement layout. D934 is for solo piano, D760 is for violin and piano, and both have disturbing symphonic style. I love both of them. Andras Schiff's lyrical tenderness sounds rather good for me at this kind of poetic form. He and his wife Shiokawa conveyed the Schubert's intension vividly like impressionist painters. If you like Schubert, have this cd!

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