Global Fascinations and Sophistications

Schubert's piano works for four hands

Schubert's piano works for four hands one piano have always offered a challenge to performers. The Austro-Hungarian element so clearly evident, implies correct rhythmic emphasis, singing lines and balanced harmonies in the middle register.

Volume 2 of the Naxos survey features the duo playing of Jenó Jandó and Zsuzsa Kollár, whose togetherness and tonal weight do full justice to the composer's fantasizings, whether in the popular Three Military Marches [listen - track 1, 0:00-0:35], the Eight Variations on a Theme from Hérold's Marie or the Overture in G minor, where Schubert's youthful interest in opera provides free rein for the exploration of theatrical ideas.

The Four Polonaises are very different from Chopin's fiercely national patriotism [listen - track 9, 0:00-1:00], while the G minor Fantasy and Allegro moderato in C major/Andante in A minor fuse drama and poetry with unexpected, sudden contrasts of mood that lead in various directions.

Continue >>

To listen to the aural illustrations in this review, you may need to download RealNetworks' realplayer G2.