A Moment in Time Christian Blackshaw

• Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828): 4 Impromptus, D. 899:
• 1 Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 899: No. 1 in C Minor, Allegro molto moderato 11:38
• 2 Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 899: No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Allegro 05:08
• 3 Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 899: No. 3 in G-Flat Major, Andante 07:09
• 4 Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 899: No. 4 in A-Flat Major, Allegretto 08:03
• Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 960:
• 5 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 960: I. Molto moderato 22:25
• 6 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 960: II. Andante sostenuto 11:07
• 7 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 960: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza 04:25
• 8 Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, D. 960: IV. Allegro ma non troppo 08:33
• Total Runtime 01:18:28

Info for A Moment in Time

Pianist Christian Blackshaw presents A Moment in Time, an intimate exploration of Franz Schubert’s late masterworks. The album features the Four Impromptus, D. 899, written in 1827, in which Schubert transforms the simple Impromptu into “a harmonically connected cycle of unparalleled beauty.” From the dramatic intensity of the first to the serene beauty of the third and the triumph over darkness in the fourth, Blackshaw reveals the depth, subtlety, and emotional brilliance of Schubert’s music.

The album also presents the Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat Major, D. 960, one of Schubert’s last major works for solo piano, composed during spring and autumn of 1828. Its movements traverse hope, despair, and luminous introspection, culminating in a finale of quiet triumph. For Blackshaw, these performances are a personal reflection – a snapshot in time of both Schubert’s genius and his own lifelong engagement with these works.

Christian Blackshaw, piano

Christian Blackshaw
A deeply passionate and sensitive pianist, Christian Blackshaw is celebrated for the incomparable musicianship of his performances. His playing combines tremendous emotional depth with great understanding. Born in Cheshire, England, he studied with Gordon Green at the Royal College Manchester and Royal Academy London, winning the gold medals at each. He then became the first British pianist to study at the Leningrad Conservatoire with Moisei Halfin and later worked closely with Sir Clifford Curzon in London.

He has performed worldwide and in festivals as recitalist and soloist with many renowned conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Gianandrea Noseda, Sir Donald Runnicles, Herbert Blomstedt, Trevor Pinnock, Neeme Järvi and Yannick Nézet-Séguin and is the founder director of the Hellensmusic Festival which was established in 2013.

His hugely acclaimed Wigmore Hall complete Mozart Piano Sonatas series was recorded for Wigmore Hall Live and released in four volumes. Critics have been unanimous in their praise, describing these “landmark” recordings as “captivating”, “magical” and “masterful”. Volume 4 was named as one of the Best Classical Recordings in the New York Times in addition to Gramophone Magazine’s Top 50 Greatest Mozart Recordings.

Recent notable performances include the Mozart cycle in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Montreal and Snape, his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra, in addition to performances in the Schwetzingen, Schubertiada Vilabertran, Lerici, Oxford, Aldeburgh and Edinburgh International Festivals. He was awarded an MBE for services to Music in the New Year 2019 Honours List.

Further appearances are Wigmore Hall London, Toradze Festival Tbilisi, Salle Bourgie Montreal, Palau de la Musica Barcelona, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées Paris, an extensive tour in China and Artist in Residence with Orchestre Métropolitain and Yannick Nézet-Seguin.

During the 2019/20 season, highlights include the beginning of Blackshaw’s residency at Wigmore Hall, his New York debut performing at The Frick Collection, a recital as part of the Istanbul Classical Music Series, his continuation of the Mozart cycle in Montréal, and performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Orchestra Sinfonia di Milano Giuseppe Verdi under Claus Peter Flor.

Blackshaw was appointed an MBE by the Queen in The New Year 2019 Honours List.

Booklet for A Moment in Time