META

2023Berlin Classics0302967BC

Works by Franz Schubert

For her 10th anniversary with Berlin Classics, US pianist Claire Huangci presents Schubert's late sonatas D 894, D 958, D 959 and D 960, as well as the Three Piano Pieces D 946 and a selection of songs from Schwanengesang. She accompanies baritone Thomas E. Bauer in four of the songs and plays two in an arrangement by Franz Liszt. The result is presented in a box with three albums under the title META. META stands for the importance of Schubert's music in Claire Huangci's personal and musical life. Having established herself as a versatile interpreter following early success at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and her studies at the Hanover University of Music and Performing Arts, she won the Mozart Prize at the Concours Géza Anda in 2018 and is recognised as 'one of the much-concerting young stars in Europe and the USA.' Her connection to Schubert runs deep. Despite early advice that she needed maturity for the composer's Romantic works, she has performed this music since childhood. As she notes in the booklet, Schubert's compositions 'show my development, that reflect unconscious emotions.' She describes his music as something she 'would like to take with me to a desert island,' emphasising that 'Schubert has accompanied me through all times' — particularly the late sonatas central to this project.

Press

“Huangci's voicing and balance are especially impressive, creating a texture reminiscent of a lied.”
— The Classic Review, 2023

“This is a wonderful effort from Huangci: her devoted performances only call for an equally devoted listen.”
— The Classic Review, 2023

Tracklist

1
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in G major, D. 894, Op. 78 — I. Molto moderato e cantabile
18:14
2
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in G major, D. 894, Op. 78 — II. Andante
7:33
3
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in G major, D. 894, Op. 78 — III. Menuetto: Allegro moderato - Trio
3:51
4
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in G major, D. 894, Op. 78 — IV. Allegretto
8:00
5
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang, D. 957, D. 957 — Liebesbotschaft
2:51
6
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang, D. 957, D. 957 — Aufenthalt
3:04
7
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang, D. 957 (with Thomas E. Bauer, baritone), D. 957 — Die Taubenpost
4:23
8
Franz Schubert: Sehnsucht, D. 879 (with Thomas E. Bauer, baritone), Op. 105 No. 4
2:26
9
Franz Schubert: Der Wanderer an den Mond, D. 870 (with Thomas E. Bauer, baritone), Op. 80 No. 1
2:20
10
Franz Schubert: Vier Refrainlieder, D. 866: Bei dir allein (with Thomas E. Bauer, baritone), Op. 95 No. 2
1:51
11
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 19 in C minor, D. 958, D. 958 — I. Allegro
10:20
12
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 19 in C minor, D. 958, D. 958 — II. Adagio
7:34
13
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 19 in C minor, D. 958, D. 958 — III. Menuetto. Allegro
2:53
14
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 19 in C minor, D. 958, D. 958 — IV. Allegro
8:23
15
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959, D. 959 — I. Allegro
15:26
16
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959, D. 959 — II. Andantino
7:27
17
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959, D. 959 — III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
4:50
18
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959, D. 959 — IV. Rondo. Allegro
11:04
19
Franz Schubert: Three Piano Pieces, D. 946, D. 946 — I. Allegro assai
6:52
20
Franz Schubert: Three Piano Pieces, D. 946, D. 946 — II. Allegretto
8:53
21
Franz Schubert: Three Piano Pieces, D. 946, D. 946 — III. Allegro
4:55
22
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960, D. 960 — I. Molto moderato
20:50
23
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960, D. 960 — II. Andante sostenuto
9:37
24
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960, D. 960 — III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza
3:58
25
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960, D. 960 — IV. Allegro, ma non troppo
7:59