Schubert Piano Sonatas

Young-Ah Tak, piano

November 1, 2024
Label: Steinway & Sons [STNS 30235]

Pianist Young-Ah Tak's artistry shines in her latest album on the Steinway & Sons label, featuring sensitive performances of two Schubert sonatas.

“I have been drawn towards the music of Franz Schubert for as long as I can remember. My first experience studying a Schubert sonata was at age 12, and from then on it has been an important part of my repertoire. Playing Schubert’s music gives me inspiration, much joy, and meaning. I feel truly privileged when performing pieces by Schubert. His melodies and musical ideas unfolding so naturally and perfectly within a well-structured classical sonata form is truly inspirational. I believe Schubert's sonatas resonate with the human spirit - their beauty, joy, sadness, drama, and yearning. There is such an emotional depth reflected in this music. Mastering these two different but equally profound sonatas has been a magnificent journey for me.”

— Young-Ah Tak

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano Sonata No. 14 in A Minor, Op. 143, D. 784
Piano Sonata No. 18 in G Major, Op. 78, D. 894

---

Reviews

"Tak exemplifies the finesse and passion for which she's become known and demonstrates an insightful grasp of [these Sonatas’] kaleidoscopic emotional scope...Tak articulates the movement’s [Sonata, D 784, 1st movment] abundant dramatic transitions with sensitivity and precisiono arguments will likely arise concerning the superb quality of the recording and Tak’s spectacular renditions"
Textura (January 2025)

 

"The difficulty for performers lies in integrating the three movements [of D 784] into a unified whole – something that Schubert himself did not really succeed in doing. Tak’s approach is to focus on the singing quality that all the movements share and to use the gently rocking sections of the finale as, in effect, auditory throwbacks to what has come before. She does not downplay the fireworks that dominate the finale, but she pays equal attention to the lyrical elements and thus maintains a sense of expressiveness throughout."
Infodad.com