Schubert Piano Sonatas D845 & D575

Editorial Reviews
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Already well established as one of today's most sensitive interpreters of Mozart, Mitsuko Uchida has more recently brought her probing, quintessentially poetic artistry to bear on Schubert. Her accounts of the composer's final trio of sonatas (the C minor and A major sonatas and the overwhelmingly visionary B-flat sonata) demonstrate that Uchida belongs in the company of such eminent Schubertians as Schiff, Lupu, and Schnabel. And so it is with her latest foray into Schubert's mercurial, often startlingly introspective, world. As one would expect from her grace with Mozart, Uchida commands a beautifully shaded, singing tone and poised sense of clarity, melodic and rhythmic. But when Schubert really begins to come into his own voice in this idiom (starting with the posthumously published Sonata D. 575), there's a good deal more at stake than the mere crafting of sublime melodies. Uchida manages to juggle the daring harmonic shifts, violent mood swings, edge-of-the-abyss pauses, and conversational digressions of these works and somehow sustain a compelling inward intensity. Especially spellbinding is the A minor sonata (D. 845), steeped in a melancholy that Uchida mines richly, with its hints of the greatness to come in the final sonatas. In Uchida's hands, there's even a foreshadowing past romanticism and into the 20th century. --Thomas May

Tracks:

Piano Sonata 16 In A Minor.: Moderato
Piano Sonata 16 In A Minor.: Andante, poco mosso
Piano Sonata 16 In A Minor.: Scherzo. Allegro vivace-Trio. Un poco piu lento
Piano Sonata 16 In A Minor.: Rondo. Allegro vivace
Piano Sonata 9 In B.: Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Sonata 9 In B.: Andante
Piano Sonata 9 In B.: Scherzo. Allegretto
Piano Sonata 9 In B.: Allegro giusto

Amazon.com

Already well established as one of today's most sensitive interpreters of Mozart, Mitsuko Uchida has more recently brought her probing, quintessentially poetic artistry to bear on Schubert. Her accounts of the composer's final trio of sonatas (the C minor and A major sonatas and the overwhelmingly visionary B-flat sonata) demonstrate that Uchida belongs in the company of such eminent Schubertians as Schiff, Lupu, and Schnabel. And so it is with her latest foray into Schubert's mercurial, often startlingly introspective, world. As one would expect from her grace with Mozart, Uchida commands a beautifully shaded, singing tone and poised sense of clarity, melodic and rhythmic. But when Schubert really begins to come into his own voice in this idiom (starting with the posthumously published Sonata D. 575), there's a good deal more at stake than the mere crafting of sublime melodies. Uchida manages to juggle the daring harmonic shifts, violent mood swings, edge-of-the-abyss pauses, and conversational digressions of these works and somehow sustain a compelling inward intensity. Especially spellbinding is the A minor sonata (D. 845), steeped in a melancholy that Uchida mines richly, with its hints of the greatness to come in the final sonatas. In Uchida's hands, there's even a foreshadowing past romanticism and into the 20th century. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Mitsuko Uchida Plays Schubert Sonatas -- D. 845 & D.575.......2005-03-03

Franz Schubert's piano sonatas are treasures of lyricism and introspection. Many of these sonatas were long neglected, but listeners today are fortunate to have many versions of these works to explore.

This CD by pianist Mitsuko Uchida includes Schubert's sonata in A minor, D. 845 and his early sonata in B major, D. 575. Ms. Uchida is one of today's leading interpreters of Schubert's sonatas. She plays here with thought, care and attention to the details and subtelties of the score. She is faithful to the texts of the works, and, in particular, observes repeats. Her readings are inward in character, as is appropriate for this music. At times, I found myself wishing for more passion.

The A minor sonata D. 845, op. 42 composed in 1825, is a large-scaled, ambitious work which was the first of Schubert's sonatas to be published. It is in four movements. The first movement opens with a melancholy, lyrical theme punctuated by large chords and dramatic pauses. These is an even more lyrical second theme. There is a surprising lengthy development which includes a mysterious, light passage in a remote key followed by large, brooding passages in octaves low on the keyboard. The second movement, an andante, is a set of variations on a simple theme in two parts of 16 measures each. The variations get more complex as they progress, and include a great deal of runs and filigree and a variation in the minor. The movement closes on a note of peace. The third movement scherzo opens with a strongly rhythmic three-note figure which, as is the pattern in this sonata, develops into a passage of big chords. The contrasting trio is quiet and melodious. The finale is a rondo with some resemblance to the finale of Mozart's A minor sonata, k. 330. It opens delicately with broken chords in the minor and builds to a climax. The minor key returns after an interlude in the major. The work concludes with a climactic, sweeping passage and big chords. This is a major work that will reward many hearings.

Schubert composed his sonata in B major, D. 575 at the age of 18.
It is a four-movement work with a wealth of lovely melodies following on top of each other in profusion. The first movement begins with a march-like theme, followed by a passage featuring octaves in the right hand over triplets in the left hand, and then a lyrical quiet theme. The themes are of diverse character, and each is presented in a different key. (I find it helpful to follow this music with the score.) The second movement, andante, begins with a bell-like chordal theme which is soon followed by a singing theme in the left hand. This is largely a quiet movement. The scherzo is lyrical with an opening in the upper register of the piano followed by big chords in the middle of the keyboard. The trio is short and melodic, with a theme using six eighth notes to a bar. The finale is in 3/8 time and opens with a dance-like brusque theme followed by a flowing second theme. The music works to a soft close, with a climactic chord at the very end.

In his piano sonatas, Schubert took his lyrical and melodic gifts and poured them into a large formal structure, transforming it to his own purpose. These are beautiful works for the piano, and they will find their way into the hearts of receptive listeners.

awesome sonatas, awesome performance.......2001-12-15

For years, Schubert piano sonatas were neglected by pianists. Now, however, there are many exponents of this wonderful music, and foremost among them, in my opinion, is Mitsiko Uchida. She perfectly balances a classical appreciation and a profound romantic emotionalism. Although the B-major piano sonata is a youthful endeavor and a fairly interesting work, the great piece on this CD is the a-minor sonata. I will not go in depth into its intricacies (I had written a paper on it), but it clearly portrays Schubert's genius in making simple turns of phrase very chilling. One example: the piece opens in octaves; at the beginning of the development, the first theme is very simply harmonized and its creates the MOST dramatic effect. Also, the first movement coda estremely exciting. Of course, Uchida plays these pieces with great appreciation for both emotional and structural content. Buy this CD!

Superb Schubert from Uchida.......2000-02-19

This CD offers just about the best performances of both these works that you could ever expect to hear. One may quibble certain interpretive details, but overall the playing is incredibly beautiful and flawless in technique.

Another important point to note with regard to this CD is the sound itself: the instrument she plays is a one of the most beautiful Steinways I have ever heard, and the acoustic, with just the right amount of resonance, is perfect. It has none of the abrasive, hard piano tone and dull acoustics you get with so many piano recordings from DG or EMI.

In short, you can't go wrong with this recording.

Schubert - Piano Sonata in G Major D894, Sonata in A Minor D845 - Menuhin

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Schubert - Piano Sonata in G Major D894, Sonata in A Minor D845 - Menuhin

Manufacturer: Dinemec classics
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000KPXUKC

Product Description

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797 -1828) LATE PIANO MUSIC (Vol. IV) Jeremy Menuhin - Piano Piano Sonata in G Major D894 (1826) 1. I. Molto moderato e cantabile 2. II. Andante 3. III, Menuetto: Allegro moderato 4. IV. Allegretto Piano Sonata in A Minor D845 (1825) 5. I. Moderato. 6. II. Andante poco mosso. 7. III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace. 8. IV. Rondo: Allegro vivace

Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D664, D566, D845

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Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D664, D566, D845

Manufacturer: Hungaroton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol. 5: Sonata in A minor Op.42, D845 & Sonata in D major, Op.53, D850

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