In the Hands
Paul Cantrell’s music
blog & podcast
Piano music old and new from a devoted amateur,
all free to listen to, download, and share.

Schubert D946.1, played by Don Betts

I’m a fellow of diverse musical tastes, and there are a great many composers I love who don’t appear in the meager list over on the right of this page. So it’s a delight to post this recording, because I get to add a “Schubert” category. Yay for Schubert!

This is another one of the recordings I made in the living room of my teacher, Don Betts. He’s playing a little gem of Schubert’s that one doesn’t hear often — in fact, I’d never heard it at all until he played it for me. When I looked up some recordings by others, I was surprised to find that most people play it very fast, even presto, making it a silly sort of sing-songy horse gallop. Now admittedly I’m a slow tempo kind of guy, and heck, maybe Schubert intended it to be a silly horse gallop, but man do I ever prefer Don’s tempo.

Schubert’s music is a rarified world, full of repeating simple patterns built from the same few simple ingredients, where subtle changes create tremendous moments — just a shift from minor to major, and a whole new world opens up. In Don’s performance, you can feel the weight of each of those little moments, the overwhelmingly vast interior of this tiny little world, like one of Georgia O’Keefe’s flower paintings.

Piano Piece D946 No 1 (in E flat minor)
Donald Betts, piano

Speaking of repeating patterns, there’s a stretch at about 1:40 that sounds almost like a bit of 20th century minimalism. I wonder if Philip Glass likes Schubert? (Hmm. Apparently so. You know, you could probably get a decent Glass parody by taking some random Schubert, and repeating each measure 2-4 times.)

I tried a slightly different approach with the sound on this one than with the Arabesque. It still doesn’t sound quite right — honestly, I wish Don would come to my studio to make some recordings, but he wanted to do this at his house, and when he decides that things should be a certain way, his mind is not easy to change! I guess I sympathize: it’s a bit of a hike over here for him. Anyway, if anybody feels like comparing, let me know what you think of the different sound.

Comments

Joe Dolson

This was a very enjoyable recording! I think you’re definitely right concerning the Glass/Schubert parody! Could be quite funny . . .

Nidhin

I need examples of nocturne overture fantasia etc

Nidhin
D

I think your notes on this one helped me listen better than I would have – thanks!

D
Elvin

I think Schubert’s music is just great.. I am really happy to find your website and enjoyed reading your blog.

Recently i have great interests in Classical Guitars..
I think its great…

Elvin
Music, The Flower of Culture
http://www.elvinsiew.com

Ridho

Just like an etude practice in the morning, still no interpretation inside. I cannot hear and feel the passion inside the recording, what schubert wants is the Real Tempo, and never change such a very beautiful composition tempo - It is so beautiful, please feel the harmonic change, and you cannot gain the beauty without proper tempo - dont think about gallop - but think that if it just like a very beautiful scene. apologize me, but you need to fine tune your piano again, seems at the beginning there’s a - strange tone , i think , or maybe u play that on an upright piano ?.

Practice it wisely, eliminate your - horse gallop- thinking to this beautiful piece and music :)

Ridho
Kathy

This page inspires me to think of major in piano so much. Paul, you have done a very good job! Thanks a lot for the effort and time that you have put on this site.

Wish you success!

Kathy
Laura

Os recomiendo de Schubert: Drei klavierstücke Opus post. D946 Allegretto, precioso!!!!!!!!

Laura