This could be termed 'the record of the concert' because this duo played precisely these works in the same order at the Wigmore Hall in London during November last, rather poor measure for a recital (though there was an encore), but generous measure on a CD. Their live performances were very similar to those encountered on this disc. Swensen, who had already enjoyed success with the Sibelius Concerto in London, has a refined, Szigeti-like tone and like his distinguished predecessor he isn't afraid of using portamento and bowing in the most delicate manner. He nicely varies his dynamics throughout, more boldly so than some of today's players might. The tone isn't very large and certainly not so rich as that of his near-contemporary Dumay, also just entering the record scene, but he is such a sensitive musician that want of big sound hardly matters. At 28 he is obviously destined for a bright future. So is Kahane, who plays with presence and character throughout—listen to him shaping the reminiscence of Sei mir gegriisst (D741) at the start of the Andantino section of the Fantasia.

That work, of course, is the most mature encountered here. Its sense of unity within the utmost variety shows Schubert at his most ingenious, yet I have always enjoyed the sonatas, once called mistakenly sonatinas, since de Vito recorded them for EMI (nla) many moons ago now. The much more recent LP (1973—Philips, nla) made by Grumiaux discloses many of the same qualities displayed by Swensen, and the two pianists are not dissimilar, but the new pair observe the first-movement repeats whereas the older partnership ignores them. I have to point out one serious drawback to the RCA disc and that is the intrusive breathing and bowing noises. I got used to them after a while but they are there, emphasized by the very close recording. Still, since this is the first CD appearance of all the works (the beginning of an integral set), and the Fantasia is such an attractive piece, so spontaniously played, the distraction may be overlooked by many.

-- A.B., Gramophone [1/1989]