Schubert - Piano Sonata 21 [Perahia]
The first time i ever heard the opening of this Sonata i fell in love with Schubert, it was Alfred Brendel playing, in my mind the greatest Piano Sonata ever written, yep better than any of Beethoven's, the structure of the first movement is perfection.
Composed only a few months before his death, this Sonata is Schubert's final crowning achievement in this form, he composed prolifically in his final year, i'm sure he knew that he was going to die, and wished to leave a legacy of greatness behind.
Upon this hearing, what can i say about the very opening?, words are a poor substitute for music, the Sonata begins with the most sublime and noble theme, played with the utmost delicacy and tenderness, Perahia is a bit more matter of fact than Brendel, but his interpretation has sensible tempi, which sound just right, nice legato playing, and a sense of forward momentum, he plays the exposition repeat, which makes this movement last for nearly 20 minutes, but it's a heavenly length.
The booklet cover is a nice shot by Ken Schles, showing the inner strings and working of the Piano, and the disc reveals the inner workings of Perahia's mind and fingers too!.
Here's Brendel playing this Sonata on YouTube.
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