Schubert - The Piano Sonatas - Wilhelm Kempff (7 CD Box Set)

Amazon.com
Wilhelm Kempff was a master of poetic lyricism, with a wondrous keyboard touch and a breathtaking command of subtle dynamics and tonal colorations–all invaluable attributes of any Schubert interpreter. He also had the knack of holding together large structures that can often seem aimless, thus avoiding another trap many pianists fall into, that of lavishing so much attention on passing detail that Schubert's "heavenly lengths" can seem wayward wanderings. The one criticism often heard is that Kempff emphasizes poetry at the expense of drama. This magnificent set leaves that claim unsubstantiated.

Few pianists have been so successful, for example, in what may be Schubert's wildest single movement, the nightmarish Andantino of the A major Sonata, D. 959. Here, Kempff captures the tortured mood of the piece to perfection without breaking its Classical frame. Tempos are generally expansive, but Kempff's tonal luster and unerring sense of natural phrasing never make you want him to step on the accelerator. A special treat is the inclusion of rarely heard early works. Some of these were left unfinished; others reflect a composer still mastering his craft. But most are of more than passing interest, and some have an enchanting, aching beauty. Kempff's Schubert set has been a recording classic since its release on LP; its availability in a space-saving CD box at a budget price is cause for celebration. –Dan Davis

ArkivMusic.com
Deutsche Grammophon repackages Wilhelm Kempff's classic Schubert sonata cycle in a space-saving box, and slashes the cost down to budget price. In addition, the performances have been sonically upgraded. An A/B comparison between DG's previous edition and the present remastering reveals Kempff's magical, intimate sonority to take on newfound robustness and detail. You can better ascertain Kempff's sparse and subtle pedaling, and there seems to be more air between the notes. These improvements reinforce the pianist's innate stylistic grasp and unpressured authority in this music.

Kempff's virtuosity is very real, yet never draws attention to itself. He approaches Schubert not so much as a two-handed pianist as a one-man chamber ensemble, or a seasoned lieder singer backed by a sensitive accompanist. There are, of course, a wealth of great individual Schubert Sonata interpretations that differ from, and even surpass Kempff's individual readings. But if you love the Schubert Sonatas, your life will be poorer for not knowing Kempff's irreplaceable recordings. –Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com

Album Info:
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Composer: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Wilhelm Kempff, piano.
CD |A|D|D| 463 766-2 |G|B 7|
Recorded: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970.
7 Compact Discs
Collectors Edition
Int. Release: May.2000

Tracklist:
Disc 01:
01. Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.960 - 1. Molto moderato
02. Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.960 - 2. Andante sostenuto
03. Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.960 - 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza)
04. Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.960 - 4. Allegro ma non troppo
05. Five Piano Pieces, D459 & D459A (Sonata No.3 in E, D.459) - 1. Allegro moderato
06. Five Piano Pieces, D459 & D459A (Sonata No.3 in E, D.459) - 2. Scherzo (Allegro)
07. Five Piano Pieces, D459 & D459A (Sonata No.3 in E, D.459) - 3. Adagio
08. Five Piano Pieces, D459 & D459A (Sonata No.3 in E, D.459) - 4. Scherzo con trio (Allegro)
09. Five Piano Pieces, D459 & D459A (Sonata No.3 in E, D.459) - 5. Allegro patetico

Disc 02:
01. Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D.958 - 1. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D.958 - 2. Adagio
03. Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D.958 - 3. Menuetto (Allegro)
04. Piano Sonata No.19 in C minor, D.958 - 4. Allegro
05. Piano Sonata No.20 in A, D.959 - 1. Allegro
06. Piano Sonata No.20 in A, D.959 - 2. Andantino
07. Piano Sonata No.20 in A, D.959 - 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
08. Piano Sonata No.20 in A, D.959 - 4. Rondo (Allegretto)

Disc 03:
01. Piano Sonata No.18 in G, D.894 - 1. Molto moderato e cantabile
02. Piano Sonata No.18 in G, D.894 - 2. Andante
03. Piano Sonata No.18 in G, D.894 - 3. Menuetto (Allegro moderato)
04. Piano Sonata No.18 in G, D.894 - 4. Allegretto
05. Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.850 - 1. Allegro vivace
06. Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.850 - 2. Con moto
07. Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.850 - 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
08. Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.850 - 4. Rondo (Allegro moderato)

Disc 04:
01. Piano Sonata No.16 in A minor, D.845 - 1. Moderato
02. Piano Sonata No.16 in A minor, D.845 - 2. Andante, poco mosso
03. Piano Sonata No.16 in A minor, D.845 - 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)-Trio (Un poco più lento)
04. Piano Sonata No.16 in A minor, D.845 - 4. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
05. Piano Sonata in C, D.840 (Fragment) - 1. Moderato
06. Piano Sonata in C, D.840 (Fragment) - 2. Andante
07. Piano Sonata No.14 in A minor, D.784 - 1. Allegro giusto
08. Piano Sonata No.14 in A minor, D.784 - 2. Andante
09. Piano Sonata No.14 in A minor, D.784 - 3. Allegro vivace

Disc 05:
01. Piano Sonata No.13 in A, D.664 - 1. Allegro moderato
02. Piano Sonata No.13 in A, D.664 - 2. Andante
03. Piano Sonata No.13 in A, D.664 - 3. Allegro
04. Piano Sonata No.11 in F minor, D.625 - 1. Allegro
05. Piano Sonata No.11 in F minor, D.625 - 2. Scherzo;Allegretto-Trio
06. Piano Sonata No.11 in F minor, D.625 - 3. Allegro
07. Piano Sonata No.9 in B, D.575 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo
08. Piano Sonata No.9 in B, D.575 - 2. Andante
09. Piano Sonata No.9 in B, D.575 - 3. Scherzo (Allegretto)
10. Piano Sonata No.9 in B, D.575 - 4. Allegro giusto

Disc 06:
01. Piano Sonata No.7 in E flat, D.568 - 1. Allegro moderato
02. Piano Sonata No.7 in E flat, D.568 - 2. Andante molto
03. Piano Sonata No.7 in E flat, D.568 - 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
04. Piano Sonata No.7 in E flat, D.568 - 4. Allegro moderato
05. Piano Sonata No.5 in A flat, D.557 - 1. Allegro moderato
06. Piano Sonata No.5 in A flat, D.557 - 2. Andante
07. Piano Sonata No.5 in A flat, D.557 - 3. Allegro
08. Piano Sonata No.6 in E minor, D.566 - 1. Moderato
09. Piano Sonata No.6 in E minor, D.566 - 2. Allegretto

Disc 07:
01. Piano Sonata No.4 in A minor, D.537 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo
02. Piano Sonata No.4 in A minor, D.537 - 2. Allegretto quasi andantino
03. Piano Sonata No.4 in A minor, D.537 - 3. Allegro vivace
04. Piano Sonata No.2 in C, D.279 - 1. Allegro moderato
05. Piano Sonata No.2 in C, D.279 - 2. Andante
06. Piano Sonata No.2 in C, D.279 - 3. Menuetto: Allegro vivace-Trio
07. Piano Sonata No.1 in E, D.157 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo
08. Piano Sonata No.1 in E, D.157 - 2. Andante
09. Piano Sonata No.1 in E, D.157 - 3. Menuetto;Allegro vivace-Trio

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