Franz Schubert: Fantasie D-Dur, Rondo h-Moll, Sonate A-Dur

In this album, recorded at Historic concert hall Reitstadl Neumarkt, the duo plays the C-Major fantasy of 1827 and the Violin Sonata in A of 1817, as well as the B minor Rondo of 1826. If the influence of Beethoven is still marked in the 1817 sonata, the 1826 and 1827 pieces remain striking in their originality. Written at the request of Viennese virtuosi Josef Slawik and Karl Maria von Bocklet, they are pieces that transcend `mere' virtuosity. Lonquich describes them as "paradoxical", compositions conceived as technical which nonetheless feel "thoroughly metaphysical": "Schubert is music's great Wanderer. He goes through highs and lows and subtle harmonic progressions. He's invariably spoken of as the great writer of melodies, yet there is always extraordinary harmonic tension at work as well."