Alexander Lonquich - Schubert 1828 (2018) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Alexander Lonquich has his own special place in the world of the piano: this German pianist, who made his home in Italy, has enjoyed an untypical career. A disciple of Paul Badura-Skoda, he is highly respected by many conductors and instrumental artists, such as Philippe Herreweghe, Nicolas Altstaedt and Christian Tetzlaff, with all of who he collaborates on a regular basis. Navigating his way between the modern and the early piano, he takes the time needed to allow programmes to properly mature, working on them and thinking them over for several years. Such was also the case for this recording, carefully made on a modern Steinway piano, and we have genuinely fallen in love with it. As Alexander Lonquich’s accompanying notes to the CD testify, the artist has intensively reflected on and lived with the music of Schubert before recording it.

The year of Schubert’s death, which took place on 19* November 1828, was marked - particularly from its spring- time - by an extraordinary burst of artistic creativity, produced at a frenetic working pace. It was during this period that he composed the three last piano sonatas and the three Klavierstücke that make up this programme.

Tracklist:
CD 1
1. Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D. 958: I. Allegro 11:36
2. Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D. 958: II. Adagio 08:03
3. Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D. 958: III. Menuetto. Allegro 03:46
4. Piano Sonata No. 19 in C Minor, D. 958: IV. Allegro 09:51
5. Piano Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959: I. Allegro 17:50
6. Piano Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959: II. Andantino 08:24
7. Piano Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959: III. Scherzo 05:21
8. Piano Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959: IV. Rondo 12:45

CD 2
1. Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat Major, D. 960: I. Molto moderato 23:49
2. Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat Major, D. 960: II. Andante sostenuto 10:59
3. Piano Sonata No .21 in B-Flat Major, D. 960: III. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza) 04:02
4. Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat Major, D. 960: IV. Allegro, ma non troppo 09:11
5. 3 Klavierstücke, D. 946: I. Allegro assai 09:27
6. 4 Klavierstücke, D. 946: II. Allegretto 14:04
7. 5 Klavierstücke, D. 946: III. Allegro 05:24

Personnel:
Alexander Lonquich, piano