Perspectives 3 (2008)

The cover of this double CD, with its impassive "perspectives" label, seems to contain no information about the contents, but in fact the performances involved are just about as neutral as the cover. Swiss-born, American-trained pianist Andreas Haefliger, the son of famed tenor Ernst Haefliger, states that he intends the Perspectives series as "a document of my concert activity" that "aims at bringing the recital experience to the living room." "In creative programming," he said, "I have always seen an opportunity for ... Read More

The cover of this double CD, with its impassive "perspectives" label, seems to contain no information about the contents, but in fact the performances involved are just about as neutral as the cover. Swiss-born, American-trained pianist Andreas Haefliger, the son of famed tenor Ernst Haefliger, states that he intends the Perspectives series as "a document of my concert activity" that "aims at bringing the recital experience to the living room." "In creative programming," he said, "I have always seen an opportunity for illuminating the individuality of works by placing them in tonal, dramatic, and historic relief." Where to begin? This is not, as might be supposed, a live concert recording, but the hour and a half made up by the two discs are of recital length. Listeners and especially radio presenters should note that the pieces and movements are divided by long pauses, as in a live recital. The two Beethoven sonatas on disc one and Schubert's sonata swan song, the Piano Sonata in B flat major, D. 960,... Read Less