This is now the third
volume of piano works for four hands
in this continuing Schubert series.
It is not apparent why it has taken
Naxos so long to release these works
that were recorded back in 1998.
I understand that the
prolific Jeno Jando is now the world’s
best selling pianist and he is joined
on this Naxos release by compatriot
Zsuzsa Kollar who was a former pupil
of his at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of
Music, in Budapest.
The first work on this
release is the Overture in F major,
Op. 34, D. 675 which was composed
in 1819; the same golden period as the
famous Trout Quintet. This often
dramatic work is the only one of his
four duet overtures that is not a transcription
of an orchestral work.
Schubert completed
the Fantasie in F minor, Op. 103,
D. 940 in 1828, the last year
of his life. The work is the final of
the four Fantasies for piano
that Schubert wrote. It is regarded
by some as one of his finest keyboard
creations. In four clearly defined contrasting
sections, the Fantasie in F minor
is certainly remarkable for the
wealth of beauty of its melody and passionate
drama.
The German Dance
with Two Trios and Two Ländler,
D. 618 from 1818 are likely
to be the fruits of the soirées
that Schubert attended at friends’ houses
in what became known as ‘Schubert Evenings’
or ‘Schubertiaden’. The work reveals
its peasant origins in the vigorous
rhythms and melodies.
Thought to have been
written somewhere between 1818 and 1824
the Variations on an Original
Theme, Op. 82/2, D. 968a were
probably intended for the use of a couple
of his pupils. The works are light yet
rich in variety and invention.
The final and longest
works on the release are the Three
Marches Héroïques, Op. 27,
D. 602 from between 1818 to
1824 and interestingly have had their
Schubert authenticity questioned. They
follow the usual form and rhythm of
the March and contain contrasting
Trio sections.
Piano soloists Jeno
Jando and Zsuzsa Kollar respond admirably
to these works with playing of warmth
and intimacy. However the recital never
really takes-off for me. It is somewhat
lacking in immediacy with inadequate
subtlety of phrasing. My attention wasn’t
held for the whole recital which I found
to be rather disappointing from pianists
of the calibre of Jando and Kollar.
With reasonable sound
quality this is for me a fairly average
release.
Michael Cookson
Terry Barfoot found this recording
to be more rewarding
Jeno Jando (piano) 