Diana Hinds presents

Schubert’s last sonata, the B flat (‘which absorbed me for much of the Lockdowns’), plus a series of “Reflections” by Howard Skempton.

Schubert:

In 1828, the last year of his life, Franz Schubert composed three sonatas for piano which are generally described as the culmination of his lifelong occupation with the piano sonata genre. Schubert’s role as successor to classical-era composers is clearly evident in them, while at the same time his very own, deeply personal tone resounds here. In the frequently performed B flat major Sonata Schubert seems to have gathered up all his powers of introspection and tranquillity. Above all, the calm theme of the first movement captivates through its dreamlike expression. It is highly demanding in terms of luminosity of tone and of subtlety of nuance.

Skempton “Reflections”:

This is a collection of 36 piano pieces dating from 1995 to 2002. At times enigmatic, at others direct, the writing captures and reflects a myriad of moods, revealing Skempton’s highly original voice.