| Review by ClassicalDJ July 23, 2013 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
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I grew up with the Murray Perahia recording of the A major Sonata (Sony DSD recording on RBCD). This performace by Martin Helmchen casts Perahia's as somewhat mechanical to me. Perahia is definitely speedier and perhaps more technically impressive, but Helmchen really makes Schubert sing. He brings a sense of drama to the music without playing especially loud. I was most taken with his playing in the second movement. The prescribed pauses are lengthy and purposeful. I enjoyed how Helmchen's playing style and somewhat slower tempos (compared to Pehahia) spotlight the subtle variation in Schubert's left hand lines. We will see how it wears, but Helmchen seems the clear winner over Perahia with this Sonata.
I am not experienced with the D. 780 Moments musicaux, so my five performance stars are for the Sonata. The multichannel sound is above reproach, with both bloom and detail. This recording has more a large room than a "hall" sound, but definitely not too close.
Hopefully Pentatone will record more Schubert (especially the 958 and 960 sonatas) with Helmchen.
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