SCHUBERT : The Piano Sonatas (Wilhelm Kempff) 7CD BOX-SET (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Wilhelm Kempff was a master of poetic lyricism, with a wondrous keyboard touch and a breathtaking command of subtle dynamics and tonal colorations–all invaluable attributes of any Schubert interpreter. He also had the knack of holding together large structures that can often seem aimless, thus avoiding another trap many pianists fall into, that of lavishing so much attention on passing detail that Schubert's "heavenly lengths" can seem wayward wanderings. The one criticism often heard is that Kempff emphasizes poetry at the expense of drama. This magnificent set leaves that claim unsubstantiated.

Few pianists have been so successful, for example, in what may be Schubert's wildest single movement, the nightmarish Andantino of the A major Sonata, D. 959. Here, Kempff captures the tortured mood of the piece to perfection without breaking its Classical frame. Tempos are generally expansive, but Kempff's tonal luster and unerring sense of natural phrasing never make you want him to step on the accelerator. A special treat is the inclusion of rarely heard early works. Some of these were left unfinished; others reflect a composer still mastering his craft. But most are of more than passing interest, and some have an enchanting, aching beauty. Kempff's Schubert set has been a recording classic since its release on LP; its availability in a space-saving CD box at a budget price is cause for celebration. – Dan Davis Amazon 

Deutsche Grammophon repackages Wilhelm Kempff's classic Schubert sonata cycle in a space-saving box, and slashes the cost down to budget price. In addition, the performances have been sonically upgraded. An A/B comparison between DG's previous edition and the present remastering reveals Kempff's magical, intimate sonority to take on newfound robustness and detail. You can better ascertain Kempff's sparse and subtle pedaling, and there seems to be more air between the notes. These improvements reinforce the pianist's innate stylistic grasp and unpressured authority in this music.

Kempff's virtuosity is very real, yet never draws attention to itself. He approaches Schubert not so much as a two-handed pianist as a one-man chamber ensemble, or a seasoned lieder singer backed by a sensitive accompanist. There are, of course, a wealth of great individual Schubert Sonata interpretations that differ from, and even surpass Kempff's individual readings. But if you love the Schubert Sonatas, your life will be poorer for not knowing Kempff's irreplaceable recordings. –Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com 

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