Franz Schubert: Impromptus & Dances
BRIDGE 9327

WQXR "Featured Album of the Week" Schubert, we are told in the reminiscences of his friends, did not dance. But he was always happy to play the piano for dancing in the convivial atmosphere of gatherings of friends, and was considered to have a real gift for it. In all he composed more than 400 short dance works, of which 39 (Waltzes and Ländler), are performed on this disc by the brilliant pianist Vassily Primakov. In addition to dance pieces, Primakov has recorded extraordinarily intimate readings of six of Schubert's haunting Impromptus-- works composed in the final years of the Viennese master's brief life.

 

Reviews:

“the playing is of exceptional poise and finesse – the phrasing exquisitely shaped, the melodic lines both caressed and directed in ways that testify to fertile musical imagination and abundant pianistic technique in superfine balance...his masterly control ensures that the underlying dance-rhythm patterning is never lost.” - BBC Music Magazine

“Primakov’s way with dances formed into suites by himself and his one-time teacher Vera Gornostaeva will charm the birds out of the trees. And yet there is never a hint of artifice or contrivance but rather an open-hearted delight in some of Schubert’s most endearing works...this is palpably the playing of a young pianist in love with Schubert...Well recorded, this is a disc to treasure.” - Gramophone

“A feast for Schubert lovers!” - Fanfare

 

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PDF Booklet

Franz Schubert

14 Waltzes
Impromptu No. 1 in F minor, D. 935, Op. 142, No. 1
13 Ländler
Four Impromptus, D. 899, Op. 90
12 Waltzes
Impromptu No. 2 in A-flat Major, D. 935, Op. 142, No. 2

Vassily Primakov, piano

BRIDGE 9327

Related Primakov discs:

9251, 9278, 9283, 9289, 9300, 9309, 9315, 9322, 9328A/B, 9339, 9350, 9351