Die Taubenpost

Mark Padmore, tenor
Paul Lewis, piano

From Franz Schubert Schwanengesang (2011)
Released by Harmonia Mundi


Schubert: Die Taubenpost


Tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Paul Lewis conclude their acclaimed Schubert triptych with this revelatory account of Schwanengesang, the third and last of the great Schubert cycles, collected and published after the composer’s death. Auf dem Strom for tenor, horn and piano, and the gently hopeful song Die Sterne complete the programme. Singer and pianist are perfectly matched in temperament and musicality, and every note has been lovingly considered . . . Exquisitely thoughtful and refined. – The Telegraph, UK (Review of Die schöne Müllerin)

Official website

Impromptus op 90 D899
Allegretto

Paul Lewis, piano

From Schubert: Piano Sonatas (2011)
Released by Harmonia Mundi


Schubert: Impromptus op 90 D899 – Allegretto


Paul Lewis and Schubert, un vrai bonheur ! In Hong Kong this December, not to be missed.

Official website

Winterreise – Gute Nacht
Nathalie Stutzmann, contralto
Inger Södergren, piano

From Schubert: Winterreise (2011)
Released by Saphir Productions




Schubert: Winterreise – Gute Nacht

Winterreise is probably one of Schubert’s most famous masterpieces and THE one that every established singer would like to perform and record.

Although most recordings have been done with men, but lately, there were few versions with women, and this very exceptional one with Nathalie Stutzmann is a gem not to be missed.


Official website

Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat major, Andante
Tamás Érdi, piano

From Tamás Érdi plays Franz Schubert (2002)
Released by Hungaroton Records




Schubert: Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat major, Andante

A wonderful recording of Schubert Impromptus and Sonata by the Hungarian pianist Tamás Érdi.


Official website

Die schöne Müllerin
Mark Padmore, tenor
Paul Lewis, piano

From Franz Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (2010)
Released by Harmonia Mundi




Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin

After Winterreise, this is another jewel.

Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis, and Schubert, a divine lyrical combination.


Official website

Anne Gastinel, cello

Sonata for arpeggione and piano in A minor (“Arpeggione Sonata”), D. 821
Claire Désert, piano

From Schubert: Arpeggione (2005)
Released by Valois






Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata

This is a wonderful interpretation of the famous Arpeggione by the French cellist Anne Gastinel: extremely expressive, intimate and enchanting.

Maria João Pires and Ricardo Castro, piano

Fantasia for piano, 4 hands in F minor, D. 940 (Op. 103)

From Résonance de l’Originaire (2005)
Released by Deutsche Grammophon







Schubert: Fantasia for piano

This is one of the most important works for piano that Schubert wrote in 1828, the year he died. He dedicated the Fantaisie to Karoline Esterházy, with whom he was in love.

This rendition, by Pires and Castro, is unique, so delicate and subtle.

Mark Padmore, tenor
Paul Lewis, piano

Winterreise, Song Cycle for Voice & Piano, D. 911 (Op. 89) – Book I, Gute Nacht (‘Fremd bin ich eingezogen’)

From Schubert: Winterreise (2009)
Released by Harmonia Mundi






Schubert: Winterreise, Gute Nacht

Based on poems by Wilhelm Müller.

Every time I listen to Gute Nacht, sung by Mark Padmore with Paul Lewis at the piano, I get goosebumps.

I have never heard this song sung and played with so much intensity and sensibility; there are no words to describe it, the music simply goes straight to your heart.

more…

Heinrich Schiff, cello

Schubert: Quintet in C, D.956, II. Adagio
Alban Berg Quartet

From Schubert Quintet in C (1990)
Released by Angel Records






Schubert: Quintet D956

The String Quintet in C major, D 956, Op.163, was composed during the summer of 1828, two months before his death, and is Schubert’s final instrumental work.

I love the whole piece, but particularly the second Adagio movement, it is like an exchange of intimate confidences.