Schubert Sonata No.17 in G major, D.894 I. Molto moderato e cantabile | Rachel Naomi Kudo, Piano

Schubert Sonata No.17 in G major, D.894 I. Molto moderato e cantabile Recorded June 26-27, 2025 ~~ Franz Schubert (1797–1828) Piano Sonata in G Major, D. 894, Op. 78, “Fantasie” (1826) Composed in 1826, the Sonata in G major, D. 894, represents one of Schubert’s late and most accomplished works for piano. Often called the Fantasie Sonata, it combines expansive lyricism with harmonic sophistication, exemplifying Schubert’s mature style in the final years of his life. Robert Schumann famously regarded it as Schubert’s “most perfect in form and conception,” and its free-flowing, imaginative first movement later inspired composers such as Franz Liszt, who admired its rhapsodic lyricism and expressive freedom. Although Schubert himself did not formally designate the work as a Fantasie, the title became associated with the sonata, particularly its opening movement. Early publishers highlighted the rhapsodic, improvisatory character of the Molto moderato e cantabile, emphasizing its flowing lyricism and expressive freedom. The movement’s song-like themes, flexible phrasing, and imaginative harmonic shifts evoke the early Romantic Fantasie tradition—music shaped more by poetic inspiration than strict formal constraints. I. Molto moderato e cantabile – A luminous and serene opening movement of exceptional breadth and poise. Schubert’s long harmonic suspensions and repeated figurations create a contemplative stillness, momentarily broken by passages of darker intensity. In the development, the music swells to an unprecedented fff—the only such marking in his piano music—before dissolving into closing pages of transcendent quiet (ppp). II. Andante – Reflective and deeply expressive, the slow movement unfolds with long-breathed melodic lines and subtle harmonic inflections. Its restrained lyricism and finely shaded dynamics suggest an inward meditation, ending in a hush of serenity. III. Menuetto: Allegro moderato – Unusually set in B minor, the Menuetto extends the shadow of the Andante’s darker hues. Its poised rhythmic motion contrasts with the Trio, marked ppp, which shifts to B major and evokes a distant Viennese waltz—heard as if from memory. IV. Allegretto – The finale radiates pastoral warmth and lyric charm. Crisp articulation, open intervals, and buoyant harmonic shifts convey both wit and poignancy, culminating in a delicate restatement of the opening’s serene character. © 2025 Rachel Naomi Kudo ~~ Engineer: Federico Furnaletto Piano Technician: Tomislav Spasojevic ~~ 🎵J.S. Bach Playlist    • Johann Sebastian Bach   🎵J.S. Bach Partita No.1    • Bach Partita No.1 in B-flat major, BWV825 ...   🎵J.S. Bach Partita No.2    • Bach Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV826 | Rac...   🎵J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations    • Bach Goldberg Variations BWV988 | Rachel N...   🎵 Beethoven Diabelli Variations (LIVE)    • Beethoven Diabelli Variations Op. 120 | Li...   🎵 Beethoven Six Bagatelles Op.126 (LIVE)    • Beethoven Six Bagatelles Op. 126 | Live 20...   🎵 Berg Sonata Op.1 (LIVE)    • Berg Sonata Op. 1 | Live 2019 | Rachel Nao...   🎵 Chopin Playlist    • Fryderyk Chopin   🎵 Chopin 12 Etudes Op.10 (LIVE)    • Chopin 12 Études Op. 10 | Live 2003 | Rach...   🎵 Chopin Nocturne Op.27 No.2    • Chopin Nocturne in D-flat major, Op.27 No....   🎵 Marc-André Hamelin Suite à l’ancienne (2020)    • Marc-André Hamelin Suite à l’ancienne (Sui...   🎵Mozart Sonata No.18 K.576    • Mozart Piano Sonata No.18 in D major, K.57...   🎵 NHK Radio Interview (2023)    • NHK Studio Passio | Radio Performance and ...   🎵 Franz Schubert Sonata D960    • Schubert Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat Maj...   🎵 Franz Schubert Playlist    • Franz Schubert   🎵 Schumann Playlist    • Clara and Robert Schumann   🎵 Studio Classroom “Finding Her Own Voice” Interview:    • Rachel Naomi Kudo:  Finding Her Own Voice ...   🎵 Weber Invitation to the Dance Op.65 (LIVE)    • Weber Invitation to the Dance Op. 65 | Liv...   ~~ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5EfyC... ~~ ✨ Listen & Follow: Facebook:   / rachelnaomikudo88   Instagram:   / rachelnaomikudo   X: https://x.com/rachelnaomikudo Website: https://www.rachelnaomikudo.com ~~ #Schubert #FranzSchubert #Sonata #D959 #pianist #piano #classicalmusic #classicalpiano #music #pianist #musician #musicvideo #RachelNaomiKudo