It is extremely rare for two accomplished solo pianists to come together and perform duets as well as
Maria-João Pires and
Ricardo Castro do in these pieces by Schubert. They really are of one mind and spirit in their sound and expression, making these works beautiful, softly glowing jewels. Both
Pires and
Castro approach the music with a serious, but accepting attitude that allows it to breathe and take on a wide range of emotions without becoming intensely dramatic. They are able to play with energy and forcefulness when needed, but do not pound at the instrument. Even in the stern fugue at the end of the Fantasy in F minor, there is a feeling of flow and a sense of the teleological that isn't direly inevitable, it just is. Also on the discs are
Pires playing the Sonata in A major, D. 664, and
Castro playing the Sonata in A minor, D. 784. Even though the two sonatas are opposite in character, the execution is no different from the duets.
Pires and
Castro give Schubert's music an eloquence of tempered strength.