Monday 28 May 2012

Schubert - 8 Impromptus [Barenboim] 

This was the very first Schubert Impromptus that i originally listened to, i think i wore the cassette tape out, but when i changed to compact discs, i selected Alfred Brendel's disc instead, i was really delving into him at the time, it's taken another 14 years to eventually getting round to re-acquiring these performances on disc, i remember one memorable episode in Cornwall or possibly Devon, walking on a deserted beach, the tide far out, the wet sand criss-crossed with patterns, and enjoying the visuals of the beach, with the criss-crossing patterns of Schubert's music, it was a lovely moment, and of course it was Barenboim, i now have different feelings for these interpretations, not so perfect as i at first thought, Barenboim seems to meander here and there, some things are not very convincing, but Schubert's music shines through so strongly, Barenboim is a sound guide, and there's some excellent ideas too.

Daniel Barenboim is Argentinian, he was born in 1942, and he's now 69, he recorded these pieces way back in 1977, the front over isn't great, but it's the music that counts.

The 3 pieces i enjoyed the most were all from the first set, numbers 1 & 3-4, and it's this first of the set that really got me going, it's in C Minor, 

Here's Krystian Zimerman playing the First Impromptu from the first set on YouTube.