Schubert by Candlelight — Live in Madrid
$11.98 – $16.98
Sergei Kvitko
Sergei Kvitko Lights Up Madrid with Schubert and Candles in His Latest Album
REFERENCE RECORDINGS® is proud to present pianist, composer, and producer Sergei Kvitko’s new album, Schubert by Candlelight — Live in Madrid, a stunning collection of Schubert’s piano works. The album features thirteen piano works that showcase the beauty and depth of Schubert’s music, as well as the artistry and versatility of Kvitko, who is not only an award-winning, critically acclaimed pianist, but also a composer, arranger, and internationally sought-after producer and sound engineer. The album was recorded at Hinves Pianos, Madrid, Spain on April 7, 2022. It was performed, produced, and engineered by Sergei Kvitko, assisted at the session by audio engineer Jorge Núñez Colell.
The works on this program include the 6 Moments Musicaux (Op. 94 (D. 780)), composed between 1823 and 1827, which are snapshots in time and lyric inspiration, almost improvisational and whimsical yet serious. They show, in a condensed way, the many sides of Schubert’s lyric and melodic style. The 4 Impromptus (Op. 90 (D. 899)), composed in 1827, are masterpieces of thematic integration and elaboration–each Impromptu different from the next. They are unquestionably among the loveliest and most thoroughly characteristic of his short instrumental works. The program continues with the 2 Scherzi (D. 593), composed in 1817, which are happy and dancelike. Concluding the program is a somewhat unusual Minuet in C-sharp minor (D. 600), composed in 1814, which is a miniature masterpiece in slower tempo and full of elegance.
This recital reminds us that Schubert’s music is imbued entirely by the beauty and sweetness of the melody yet is intensely spontaneous and unplanned. Writing in his diary, Schubert stated: “Imagination—Man’s greatest treasure, the inexhaustible spring at which we all refresh ourselves—be with us, even if few respect and honor you. You alone can save us from socalled “enlightenment,” that hideous skeleton without flesh and blood.” Robert Schumann, writing in his diary, contemplates “And you, heavenly Schubert who left this world too soon—if ghosts and spirits and geniuses spoke to each other, they would speak like you; you are the celestial flowing spirit covered by its spring flowers.”
Recorded in front of a live audience under the gentle glow of candlelight, the album captures the intimate and expressive atmosphere of the concert, as well as the brilliant and nuanced playing of Kvitko, who has been praised for his “natural, appealing musicality and sensual understanding of piano tone” (The Chronicle-Herald).
Extra notes
Compact Disc with comprehensive booklet
RECORDED: April 7, 2022
RECORDING LOCATION: Hinves Pianos, Madrid, Spain
PRODUCER & ENGINEER: Sergei Kvitko
ASSISTANT AUDIO ENGINEER: Jorge Núñez Colell
On This Recording
6 Moments musicaux, Op. 94 (D. 780) [1823-28] 32:07
- I. Moderato in C Major 8:02
- II. Andantino in A-flat Major 6:41
- III. Allegro moderato in F minor 1:50
- IV. Moderato in C-sharp minor 5:04
- V. Allegro vivace in F minor 2:07
- VI. Allegretto in A-flat Major 8:23
4 Impromptus, Op. 90 (D. 899) [1827] 29:48
- I. Allegro molto moderato in C minor 10:29
- II. Allegro in E-flat Major 5:01
- III. Andante in G-flat Major 6:00
- IV. Allegretto in A-flat Major 8:18
2 Scherzi (D. 593) [1817] 9:04
- I. Scherzo No. 1 Allegretto in B-flat Major 4:23
- II. Scherzo No. 2 Allegro Moderato in D-flat Major 4:41
Minuet in C-sharp minor (D. 600) [1813] 2:47
- Minuet in C-sharp minor (D. 600)
Reviews:
“There’s a highly natural ebb and flow to Kvitko’s playing which suits Schubert’s subtle modal alterations to repeated melodic patterns very well. Even within his famous Impromptus, which as the title implies should sound spontaneous and improvised but actually don’t because of Schubert’s tendency for repetition over exploration, it’s these shifts of mode and mood aided along by Kvitko’s intelligent use of rubato that bring out their uncontrived character.” —Jean-Yves Duperron, Classical Music Sentinel
“This new Reference Recordings release has definitely earned itself a spot on my shelf; indeed, I would recommend fans of Schubert’s keyboard music to seek it out expeditiously.” —Karl Nehring, Classical Candor
“For every dozen pianists who record Schubert’s evergreen Moments musicaux and Impromptus, there is rarely one who plays with the presence and artistic maturity of Sergei Kvitko. There are stretches of this live recital from Madrid in 2022 when Kvitko’s depth of expression evoked echoes of classic Schubert pianists on the order of Edwin Fischer and Artur Schnabel… These are lived-in readings that reflect unalloyed love and respect for Schubert.… this outstanding recital… deserves to be ranked among the best Schubert piano release in years.” —Huntley Dent, Fanfare
“such a gifted pianist” —Jed Distler, Gramophone
“For every dozen pianists who record Schubert’s evergreen Moments musicaux and Impromptus, there is rarely one who plays with the presence and artistic maturity of Sergei Kvitko. There are stretches of this live recital from Madrid in 2022 when Kvitko’s depth of expression evoked echoes of classic Schubert pianists on the order of Edwin Fischer and Artur Schnabel. It isn’t surprising that he had toured extensively with this program before deciding that a particular evening in Madrid found all the stars aligned. These are lived-in readings that reflect unalloyed love and respect for Schubert.… outstanding recital, which I think deserves to be ranked among the best Schubert piano releases in years.” —Huntley Dent, Fanfare