It's not British, but...Franz Schubert Piano Music on Danacord

This CD was a bit of an adventure to me. I have probably heard all the pieces on this disc over the past half-century, but never listened to them systematically. Confession. I do enjoy the music of Franz Schubert but know an extremely limited range of his catalogue. I have appreciated the Trio in B flat since being introduced to it in the mid-1970s by a former girlfriend. It was used in the film score for Barry Lyndon, (1975) hence its popularity at that time. Winterreise is a perennial favourite with me, as well as the ballet music to Rosamunde, which was rediscovered by Arthur Sullivan and George Grove (of Dictionary fame) in a bookshop in Vienna. Then there are the Impromptus - and that is about it.

First up on this disc are the Six Moments Musicaux, D 780. It is impossible to know if these were meant as a cycle or if they were a collection of individual pieces. Certainly, Nos. 3 and 6 were published separately in 1823 and 1824, respectively. The complete set was issued in 1828, the year of Schubert’s death. It has been suggested that some of these Moments reflect nature. The liner notes explain that Schubert put “anything he experienced into music – water flowing, hunting scenes, galloping horses, thunder…and walking.” One of his most significant compositions was the Wanderer Fantasy D 760 (1822) for piano. So, “wandering” was one of his greatest pleasures, especially in the Austrian Alps. The first of these Moments Musicaux opens with a “hunting horn” and the second is a kind of lullaby. The third, which is the best-known, is a vibrant dance, which contrasts major and minor keys, whilst No. 4 seems to nod to the Baroque era. No.5, the most complex, moves from a fiendish opening to a cheery conclusion. Finally, No.6 has all the appeal and refinement of a Viennese drawing room soiree.

The Two Scherzos, D 593 were composed during 1817. The liner notes explain that at this time Schubert was working with “sonata form” and suggests that these two “charming movements” could well have originally designed for a Sonata. The first, in B flat major is a waltz/landler and progresses in a disarming manner. The second, in D flat major is much more extrovert. It opens with a peasant’s dance. Both Scherzos have contrasting, quieter trio sections. They are played here with seductiveness and stylishness.

Schubert’s Three Piano Pieces, D 946 date from 1828, the final year of his life. Once again, it is not known exactly what the context is. It can be construed as three individual numbers, or as a group, designed to be played in sequence, in its entirety. Another suggestion is that they may have been intended as another set of Impromptus. John Damgaard takes the opinion that they are nowadays viewed as a unit, “a sonata…and not a sonata.” They are long, altogether lasting just shy of half an hour.

The opening Allegro assai is dynamic, but with a thoughtful middle section. The Allegretto used a tune from Schubert’s opera Fierrabras D 796 (1823). There are two contrasting episodes, one of which is lively, the other more restrained. The last, in C major, is the briefest of the set, but has the most virtuosity, with a bracing pace and off-beat rhythms in the outer sections and a quiet trio.

Danish pianist John Damgaard studied at the Eastman School of Music in New York and at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen. His teachers included Georg Vásárhelyi, Ilona Kabos, and Wilhelm Kempff. He has held several teaching positions in Denmark, including, from 1984-2007, as Professor of Music at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. Dangaard has performed throughout the world. His repertoire is oriented towards the classical and romantic periods. He is also an enthusiastic promoter of Danish music. Recordings include the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel, and all the finished sonatas by Schubert.

I enjoyed this CD. To be sure there are dozens of competitors for this repertoire. I would not know where to begin in any further exploration of this music. From my point of view, I enjoyed John Damgaard’s performance of all these works. I found them both absorbing and moving. It has been a fascinating learning curve for me, both in listening and in researching each piece.

Track Listing
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Six Moments Musicaux, D 780 (1823-28)
Two Scherzi, D 593 (1817)
Three Piano Pieces, D 946 (1828)
John Damgaard (piano)
rec. February 2024, Concert Hall, Danish National Academy of Music, Odense.
Danacord DACOCD 980