Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, András Schiff :: Schubert: The Impromptus; Moments musicaux

Great Performance ruined by bad recording

Michael R. Leghorn | Evanston, IL USA | 10/13/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I can't stand it when recording engineers go out of their way to ruin recordings. For some reason, the engineer for this recording chose to place some microphones very close to the piano, and some far. The result is very unnatural sound. I wish I could find a good recording of the Musical Moments, but have struck out twice. (My other recording is with Lupu, which is also a superb performance but a lousy recording - early digital). I wonder if Schiff is aware of the sabotage done to his art by over zealous recording engineers. As far as the music goes, I find Schiff to be one of the best Schubert interpreters, which is why I bought this CD. Schiff plays this music superbly as expected."

Schiff playing Schubert is the best

M. M. Harris | Nashville, Tennessee | 12/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I concur with an earlier reviewer who wasn't impressed with the sound quality of these early 1990s digital recording of some of Schubert's most familiar shorter works for the piano. However, I still highly recommend it based solely on Andras Schiff's beautiful playing. I've had this compilation sitting on my shelves for over a year and finally had a chance to listen to it a few days ago; despite the recording's flaws, Schiff's playing is majestic, poetic, demonstrating his empathy for Schubert's music. Both sets of Impromptus are played with ample dignity and grace; the same holds true for the Landler (waltzes) and Moments Musicaux. It's a pity that Decca's usually high fidelity standards weren't in evidence here, or else I would say that this two CD set would deserve recognition as among the finest recordings of these Schubert pieces currently available."