Schubert: Impromptus D 899 & D 935 / Radu Lupu;

Lupu is a keyboard poet, and Schubert's lyrical gems seem as though they were written for his interpretive artistry. He sings the gorgeous melodies with limpid, beautiful tone. The intimacy Lupu achieves in the G-flat impromptu sounds almost personal, an effect heightened by the transparent engineering. There's a luminosity to Lupu's traversal of these remarkable works that's irresistible; his pianism alternates subtle lights and shades. While the playing is elegant and refined, he doesn't stint on the dramatic contrasts in the music, nor does he neglect the dark poetry that pulls it into deeper regions. There are many fine versions of these classics; Lupu's stands with the best. --Dan Davis