Schubert: The Impromptus Opp. 90 & 142 (CD)

Eric Lu (piano)

Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D899 (Op. 90)
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D935

“I have a real sense of a journey with these works, in particular with Op.90, having lived with them intensely in preparation, on stage and, finally, in the recording studio. For me, the Impromptus are some of the greatest jewels in the piano literature. They are magnificent, deep pieces of music, and the very essence of Schubert.” - Eric Lu

The sense of an inner journey is ever present in the Impromptus, where emotions continually shift and struggle. While the Op.90 set has, on the surface, a generally equable mood, this feeling is fragile.

"Lu allows himself a generous amount of time, each Impromptu clocking in significantly slower than they do with other major pianists.
That said, it would be hard to imagine the time better spent. The music floats on a heavenly cloud lit up from within with a radiance of sound, the essence of Schubertian lyricism." - Financial Times, 5th February 2026

"a rewardingly mature, un-egotistical approach to the eight Impromptus, some of the composer’s most profound music. Lu is very much attuned to the way in which Schubert creates overarching structures, conjuring a mesmerising feeling of stasis with music that’s alive with detail under the surface – in his performances of several of them, time really does seem to stand still." - The Guardian, 8th January 2026