In contrast to the reissues of reissues EMI often brings out at budget price, here’s a rare and delightful release from the late 1970s that I never thought would make it to CD. You may not want to listen to all 138 Schubert Waltzes in a single sitting (as critics are bound to do), for the simple reason that two and a half hours of short pieces in triple meter and mostly binary form can drive anyone nuts. However, in small doses these miniatures abound with melodic turns of phrase and striking harmonies that remind us of why Schubert is hard to resist. So is pianist Paolo Bordoni’s crisp articulation, stylish flair, and obvious affection for these unpretentious gems. He inflects the repeats with subtle changes in rubato and dynamics that somehow manage not to sound predictable, while lavishing unfussy care over ornaments. EMI’s digital remastering reproduces the silvery, slightly dry piano sonority I remember from my old Seraphim three-LP set with additional tonal heft and ambient warmth. For Schubert lovers, this is an obvious choice, and a bargain to boot.
