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I just bought a 7-CD set of his sontatas played by Kempff. They came in the mail yesterday. So I've been listening to as much of them as possible, and I must say none of them have really "hit" me yet. I bought Prokofiev's complete sonatas by Nissman not long ago and just about everyone "hit" me, if you know what I mean. I was amazed by all of them. Anyways I was wondering what are some of the more "popular" schubert sonatas, or which ones you guys at least like. I just seams like they go ON AND ON! So far out of what I've listened to D 958 in C minor is my favorite. But even that one... Anyways any suggestions would be appreciated!

958 & 959 are the only ones that i really love. there are others that i like but to be honest i haven't heard the majority of the less popular ones.

D850 is my favourite, but nobody plays it better than Gilels.

I also have the Kempff set, and I don't like it that much. I prefer Uchida's set.

There are a few gems amongst a lot of fodder. Some of tham rate right up there with Schubert's greatest works. D. 894 in G major is simple amazing. The 1st movement is a relaxed meditation in 12/8 time seemingly goes on endlessly, but in a good way. The last movement is a delightful allegretto that is almost looks ahead to Joplin. Other great ones are D. 960 in Bb and of course D. 958. These are long works, and need some time to be appreciated so give it a chance. By the way, Schubert is very hard to play, at least for me. And thats a shame because he is my favorite composer.

I'm a fan of Kempff and this is an aclaimed set -- having said that, I think it is not all that great.

I agree with others that there are several better performances of the works...and would agree that Uchida usually does a better job - as do several other pianists - including Schnabel, Cooper, Chodos, Brendel. I don't Kempff's set is a good introduction to Schubert's works.

Ken

I've got to put in a good word for Uchida, who first convinced me with her Mozart. I find her Schubert overly nuanced at times -- something Mozart requires but Schubert is not nearly so subtle a musical soul. Still I find her performances insightful and satisfying, and probably the best modern recorded set available.

Schnabel is a favorite as well, but I always find the sound quality of those old recordings, no matter how cleaned up and enhanced, to be difficult to listen to for long. If that doesn't bother you, I'd pick Schnabel for interpretation alone. He's meatier than Uschida. Brendel is solid on these sonatas, if maybe a bit too workmanlike.

The late A major and, of course, the B-flat major are stupendous works on par with the late quartets. IMO.

Here's Paul Lewis's version of D.958:

www.streamload.com/uploaded (encoding quality isn't so high this time)

Let me know what you think; it's the only recording of that piece I own.

awesome, i'm listenin to it right now.

Walter Klien for Schubert.

hey i liked that paul lewis is there any chance you got him doin 959 too?

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You have to hear Uchidas Debussy Etudes. Wow!

I fully agree that Uchida's Debussy Etudes is spectacular! Hers is, however, not the only outstanding recording. While hers is more famous another lesser known one, IMHO, not to sniff at is that by Ju-ying, Song under ProPiano label.

mmm i really like the last movement of the 958 played by lewis !

kempff is the reference for schubert...