Complete Piano Works (Rec 1989-1995)

"How good, then, to be able to hail [Dalberto's] spring-like imaginative vitality and spontaneity - not least in the main work, the D major Sonata of 1825. He conveys all the youthful eagerness of the opening Allegro vivace with a stylish lightness and clarity. In the second movement, allowed a liquid, con moto flow, he opened my ears anew to its magical textural felicities and tonal contrasts. (In the) not fully completed F minor Sonata - an arresting portrait of the 21year-old Schubert not yet wholly reconciled to the procrustean demands of sonata form while plainly overwhelmed by the drama of Beethoven's Appassionata. Here again Dalberto draws delectable contrasts of colour from his instrument while constantly savouring the unpredictability that contributes so much to even the immature Schubert's genius."
(Gramophone)

"Michel Dalberto has looked deeper than many into the soul of Schubert, and at his best his playing the equal of all comers. This and the myriad other little discoveries to be made throughout this box make it well worth the asking price."
(MusicWeb Feb 2011)

Some of Schubert's piano sonatas are far more popular than others. A complete set of these sonatas is hard to be found. And yet they cover the composer's entire adult life and his development as such.

Schubert was the first major composer not to almost exclusively make use of the sonata form for his piano compositions. So to supplement the picture this set offers also the majority of the many other pieces he wrote for the piano.

A set catering for both Schubert and piano lovers eager to go beyond the well-known highlights of the repertoire.

French pianist Michel Dalberto (born in 1955) is a specialist in Schubert's music. Re-issue of his recordings of this composer's piano music for Denon.

Inspired performances. An opportunity to hear the Wandererfantasie next to Ecossaises, Deutsche Tänze, Waltzes and much more