Like
Rachmaninov,
Artur Schnabel thought of himself as a composer who made his living as a pianist. Unlike
Rachmaninov,
Schnabel never achieved fame as a composer; indeed, few of the millions of listeners who know and love
Schnabel's recordings of Beethoven's piano sonatas know or care about
Schnabel's three symphonies, his five string quartets, his many other chamber works, his piano works, or his early songs. This disc from CPO features three works from
Schnabel's American period, the last decade of his life: the Fifth String Quartet (1940), the Piano Trio (1945), and the Seven Piano Pieces (1946-1947).
Schnabel's music is melodiously atonal; harmonically, vigorously intellectual; and structurally and passionately restrained emotionally. At least in these performances, it is a highly appealing and deeply engaging combination. The
Pellegrini-Quartett, the
Ravinia Trio, and pianist
Benedikt Koehlen all play with supple expression, sensitive balances, and strong rhythms, letting
Schnabel's music sound like a less neurotic Berg, a more attractive Schoenberg, or a more accessible Webern. While not perhaps for every listener,
Schnabel's music will at least be of interest to anyone who enjoys Krenek or
Hindemith. CPO's sound is deep and warm, but a bit dry.