Franz Schubert – Divertissement (2003)

Internet friends of mine, several of them more knowledgeable about the quality of performances and performers than I am, told me that Chinese Zhu Xiao Mei’s interpretations of various well-known composers are among the very best to be obtained. And indeed, when listening to Schubert’s Divertissement Hongroise on this album (especially the third part, my favourite!), one is overcome by a beauty so intense it almost hurts.
Her recordings have been few and are difficult to get. It was Zhu Xiao Mei’s fate to suffer in a labor camp for years. She had little opportunity to maintain her piano skills at the highest level; and yet, when she was eventually released, she easily joined the ranks of the greatest interpreters of the 20th century.
On this record, she plays some of Schubert’s pieces for piano two hands, together with Alexandre Tharaud

tracks:

01. Divertissement D 818, 1 : Andante [0:08:57.58]
02. Divertissement D 818, 2 : Marche [0:02:11.23]
03. Divertissement D 818, 3 : Allegretto [0:11:41.56]
04. Variations D 813 [0:16:57.10]
05. Fantaisie D940 [0:16:59.51]

performers:

Zhu-Xiao Mei – piano
Alexandre Tharaud – piano