Antoine Préat

In his expansive late piano sonatas, Schubert opens up a musical world of extraordinary depth and emotional intensity. His Piano Sonata in A major, D. 959 begins with warmth and symphonic breadth before reaching an emotional climax in the famous Andantino: a deeply melancholic barcarolle suddenly erupts into a violent musical storm before the music quietly retreats into stillness once more. Such music calls for a performer of great sensitivity, and young pianist Antoine Préat is ideally suited to the task. "Préat combines generosity, warmth of tone and eloquence," wrote Diapason. Miniatures by Scarlatti and Haydn frame Schubert's monumental sonata.