This second volume of Clara Haskil’s Legacy on Tahra includes parts of a previously unpublished recital given at the Edinburgh Festival on August 23, 1957. Parts only, because the first movement of Schubert’s D. 960 Sonata is missing. (Why is this essential information for the consumer only stated inside the booklet?) Otherwise, these classic performances come in decent, clear mono sound–of much better quality than in the first volume. Haskil plays with witty temperament and a caressing, light touch that perfectly suits Mozart’s C major Sonata. The same liveliness is at work in Beethoven’s Op. 31/3, but here the fingers are not as secure as we might wish. Despite some beautiful moments, the performance lacks power and rhythmic impact; the intended zest never fully comes to life. Sviatoslav Richter’s concert performance of this same work (Praga or Music & Arts) is far more rewarding for the listener.
It is hard to judge a performance of the great Schubert B-flat major Sonata without its torso. It’s like coming late to the movies and missing the first half hour of the film: when finally you get an idea of the plot, the show is over. The incomplete status of the performance relegates it to consideration by hardcore fans only. Compared to herself five years earlier (Tahra volume I), Haskil here sounds more reserved and straightforward. For a more moody and dramatic vision of this intimate piano epic, try either Radu Lupu or Vladimir Sofronitzky. Or try Sergio Fiorentino’s noble and sensitive account on APR for a modern recording with an old-time flavor.
