Projects

A journey through the piano sonatas of Franz Peter Schubert

Schubertreise is the fanciful name for an occasional series of concerts that have been held at London`s South Bank Centre since January 2001. The cycle of completed sonata movements by Schubert (performed chronologically) is set within programmes that have included a wide range of repertoire and prestigious artists.

"Much though I love the music of Schubert," comments Lisney, "when I consider the piano sonatas as a whole I cannot truly say that they create such a satisfying series as the Beethoven cycle. The circumstances of Schubert`s life and his extraordinary speed of development as a composer can create problems: incomplete works or different versions of the same work place great responsibility on the performer to try to do justice to the composer`s intentions and memory. I think, however, that these `problems` can create a special fascination for interpreter and audience alike and help to ensure that a performance of the Schubert cycle remains a stimulating and creative event.

"The preparation and performance of Schubertreise, with its wide ranging programmes and exciting encounters with colleagues, has proved to me the enduring value of Schubert`s music: time and again I have been delighted by stimulating feedback and dialectic from the audiences that have attended, often finding email comment on my computer by the time that I have returned home from the concert. He is undoubtedly a composer who stimulates the musical, literary and psychological interests of many people. The programmes of the Schubertreise have thrown up many interesting connections between composers and have sought to highlight Schubert`s earlier works in particular. The final five sonatas are still to be programmed.