As lovely a piano recording as we are ever likely to hear. Javier Laso gives us superb performances of two great works of the piano literature. And Gonzalo Noqué, producer and chief recording engineer for Eudora Records, gives us a recording that captures of the sound of a grand piano as well or better than any recording I've heard. Kudos all around for this marvelous release.
Schubert & Schumann, Javier Laso, Eudora Records (2021 (Pure DSD256) HERE
Javier Laso plays Schubert's Sonata in B-flat Major, D.960 and Schumann's Davidsbundlertänz, Op. 6, both of which are well known, and formidable, works. Laso plays these works as if he's waited all of his life to be ready to share them with us. His approach is direct, non-fussy, highly sympathetic. He shares this music as if it is pouring from his soul.
You will best appreciate what he has created here by doing as fellow pianist Josep Colom suggests in the liner notes: "I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice: when you listen to it, switch off your mind… As I reach a da capo and coda, I'm asking you again, please, set aside anything you know or think you know about this music while you listen to it—this CD will give you the perfect opportunity to do so because, as an artist, Javier Laso is inspired."
Born in Friborg, Switzerland, in 1975, Laso comes from a family of musicians and entered the Conservatory of Salamanca at the age of twelve to study piano. Graduating in 1999, he moved to Budapest to attend the Franz Liszt Academy for further studies. Today he teaches piano at the Tenerife Conservatory, having previously taught at the Salamanca Conservatory. He does not perform in public all that often, and this is one of his few recordings. But what a treat it is.
Josep Colom writes, "Javier—in my observation at least—connects directly with the music. Of course, he is able to play like this thanks to the knowledge and technique he's acquired over the years. But this music shows us a mysterious place which may be far away or deep inside us, it extends beyond the vicissitudes of life, the score and musical structures, and only a performer who sees that place can reveal it to us.
"What you're about to hear is Javier's reaction to these works on the day the microphones were present. A recording is like a photo, and Javier lives this music moment by moment, each time presenting a different version of its message. I know this because I've had the good fortune to hear him perform privately. That's why I'd encourage you to seek him out and follow his work: he doesn't perform in public all that often and you'll find your efforts are well rewarded."
Eudora Records gives us supremely natural sound, captured as directly and authentically as the performances Javier Laso delivers. Recording engineer Gonzalo Noqué has applied a minimalist miking setup capturing the open, natural acoustic of the Auditorio de Zaragoza, Sala Mozart, Zaragoza, Spain. It must be a wonderful hall in which to enjoy a live performance.
"I can honestly say that this project is the one I'm most proud of to date. It is not only one of the best sounding albums I've done, but above all else, the performances are otherworldly. Javier Laso is simply a genius."
Using Sonodore and Schoeps microphones, Noqué captures the recording directly to DSD256 via the Merging Technologies Horus AD/DA converter and Pyramix Workstation. NativeDSD Mastering Engineer Tom Caulfield has teamed with Noqué to mix and balance these original DSD 256 recording session takes in the DSD domain using the Signalyst HQ Player Pro 4 mastering tools.
With no intervening conversion to PCM for editing, no trip through DXD land, this file is Pure DSD256 from the master takes all the way to the downloadable files. The purity of the sound is something to cherish. It is a great gift to audiophiles by Gonzalo Noqué and Eudora Records.
Highly recommended!
Javier Laso, left, and Gonzalo Noqué, right, at the recording session for Schubert and Schumann, recorded August 20-21, 2020 at Auditorio de Zaragoza, Sala Mozart, Zaragoza, Spain.
All photos courtesy of Eudora Records.
