Hyperion Records

The Sonata in G minor—a key with inevitable Mozartian associations—shares many traits with the A minor: a first movement whose exposition embraces three rather than two key centres (here G minor, B flat and E flat); a shapely, songful Andante that pays overt homage to Mozart (the main theme virtually quotes the Romanze of the Third Horn Concerto), a fast Menuetto with a relaxed Ländler trio, and a contredanse finale.

In the Allegro giusto Schubert progressively transforms the brusque unison opening, first into a pensive cantabile for piano alone, and then into a suave rococo minuet. The delightful trio of the Menuetto seems like a (doubtless subconscious) recollection of the bucolic trio from Mozart’s Symphony No 39, with the melody underscored by a gurgling accompaniment from the piano-as-clarinet. The finale opens in wistful mood but quickly brightens for a popular-style tune with more than a whiff of comic opera.

from notes by Richard Wigmore © 2013