Cyprien Katsaris - Schubert: Impromptus (2024) (Hi-Res)

There are interpretations of Schubert’s Impromptus that are full of poetry and lyricism, full of internalization (I’m thinking of Perianes and Pires), and there are much harsher, hard-chiseled ones (Ashkenazy). Cyprien Katsaris combines both views, thus achieving interesting contrasts. He reveals the singing Schubert as well as the rumbling, even the hot-tempered and angry Schubert, and all this in a very clear, transparent piano sound, in which also expressive levels can be revealed without blurring. The overall impression is of a very personal, highly committed and always alert, spontaneous performance that expresses Schubert’s emotional ups and downs without any sentimentality.Urgent release to commemorate Katsaris' visit to Japan! Schubert Improvisations on Bechstein! The latest recordings from 2022 & 2023 from the independent label "Piano21" of Cyprian Katsaris, the wizard of the keyboard, the incarnation of superb technique! Recently, he has been releasing rare transcriptions of Bizet's "Don Giovanni" (ONIFCCD141) and Saint-Saens' "Symphony with Organ" (OP21064N) arranged by Katsaris himself, and this time, he has released a new recording of "Schubert's 31 short years of life" (OP21064N). Please look forward to a new frontier of Katsaris, who continues to deepen and deepen his repertoire at the age of over 70.

Franz Schubert: Impromptus D 899, op. 90 & D 935, op. 142; Cyprien Katsaris, Klavier; # Piano 21; Aufnahme 2022/2023, Veröffentlichung 03.2024 (63') - Rezension von Remy Franck

Von Schuberts Impromptus gibt es Interpretation voller Poesie und Lyrismus, voller Verinnerlichung (ich denke da an Perianes und Pires) und es gibt die weitaus harscheren, hart gemeißelten (Ashkenazy). Cyprien Katsaris verbindet beide Ansichten und erzielt so interessante Kontraste Bei ihm zeigt sich der singende Schubert ebenso wie der grollende, ja sogar der aufbrausende und wütende, und das in einem sehr klaren, transparenten Klavierklang, in dem sich Ausdrucksebenen auch ohne Verwischung zeigen können.

Unter dem Strich bleibt so der Eindruck eines gestalterisch sehr persönlichen, sehr engagierten und immer wachen, spontanen Vortrags, der Schuberts Gefühlswallungen ohne jede Sentimentalität ausdrückt.

There are interpretations of Schubert’s Impromptus that are full of poetry and lyricism, full of internalization (I’m thinking of Perianes and Pires), and there are much harsher, hard-chiseled ones (Ashkenazy). Cyprien Katsaris combines both views, thus achieving interesting contrasts. He reveals the singing Schubert as well as the rumbling, even the hot-tempered and angry Schubert, and all this in a very clear, transparent piano sound, in which also expressive levels can be revealed without blurring.

The overall impression is of a very personal, highly committed and always alert, spontaneous performance that expresses Schubert’s emotional ups and downs without any sentimentality.

Tracklist
01. 4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 1 in C Minor. Allegro molto moderato
02. 4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 2 in E-Flat Major. Allegro
03. 4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 3 in G-Flat Major. Andante
04. 4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 4 in A-Flat Major. Allegretto
05. 4 Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935: No. 1 in F Minor. Allegro moderato
06. 4 Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935: No. 2 in A-Flat Major. Allegretto
07. 4 Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935: No. 3 in B-Flat Major. Theme (Andante) - Variations I, II, III, IV, V - Più lento
08. 4 Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935: No. 4 in F Minor. Allegro scherzando