Daniel Barenboim – Franz Schubert – Piano Sonatas (2015/2021) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Somewhat surprisingly, Daniel Barenboim recorded the 11 complete piano sonatas of Franz Schubert for the first time between 2013 and 2014, thus making this Deutsche Grammophon box set an important first-time release. For admirers of Barenboim’s intellectual depth and clean playing, his approach to these works may be ideal, because Schubert’s music is always vulnerable to overly ripe or sloppy interpretations, and it takes a balance of ideas and emotions to convey the essence of the sonatas. While Barenboim has established himself as a masterful accompanist in Schubert, playing chamber works and lieder cycles, he has touched the solo keyboard works less often. However, these performances of the sonatas are as cogent and competent as if he had specialized in them for decades. Touch is critical in Schubert, and Barenboim’s refined playing shows a remarkable control of dynamics, colors, and shadings, which, together with his eloquent phrasing and careful use of the pedals, make it subtle and compelling for its variety. While the studio recordings are a bit dry, presumably to aid in clarity, the piano has a slightly ringing quality in the upper register and a warm middle to low range, so it has an attractive tone without studio enhancements. Highly recommended.

Tracklist:
1. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Allegretto quasi andantino
3. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Allegro vivace
4. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro moderato
5. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante molto
6. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
7. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Allegro moderato
8. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro ma non troppo
9. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante
10. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Scherzo (Allegretto)
11. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Allegro giusto
12. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro moderato
13. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante
14. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Allegro
15. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro giusto
16. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante
17. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Allegro vivace
18. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Moderato
19. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante, poco mosso
20. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) – Trio (Un poco pi`u lento)
21. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Rondo (Allegro Vivace)
22. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro vivace
23. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Con moto
24. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
25. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Rondo (Allegro moderato)
26. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Molto moderato e cantabile
27. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante
28. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Menuetto (Allegro moderato)
29. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Allegretto
30. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro
31. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andantino
32. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
33. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Rondo (Allegretto)
34. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Allegro
35. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Adagio
36. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Menuetto (Allegro)
37. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Allegro
38. Daniel Barenboim – 1. Molto moderato
39. Daniel Barenboim – 2. Andante sostenuto
40. Daniel Barenboim – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza)
41. Daniel Barenboim – 4. Allegro ma non troppo