Edna Stern, the pianist on this recording, has received numerous awards for her previous albums, including Diapason d'Or and Critic's Choice of the Year from Gramophone Magazine.
Historical Context
These pieces by Schubert reflect the shift from the Classical to the Romantic era, and the rise of salon evenings among the middle class, which favored miniature pieces over longer sonata forms.
Composition History
The two cycles on this recording, Schubert's Moments Musicaux D.780 and Impromptus D.899, were likely composed in 1827 while he was already gravely ill with syphilis.
Composer Biography
Franz Schubert, despite having already composed significant works like the Impromptus and Moments Musicaux, was still taking counterpoint lessons just weeks before his death in 1828.
Interpretation
Pianist Edna Stern chose takes for this recording that she found more interesting from an interpretive perspective, rather than those that were technically perfect and mistake-free.
Compositional Technique
Schubert's short pieces on this album are based on mono-thematic material, inspired by the mono-thematic lied and a revived interest in Baroque forms.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded directly to analogue tape without any digital editing, a deliberate choice by pianist Edna Stern to prioritize human interpretation over flawless perfection.
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