19. Late Great Show

With this magisterial sonata, we all know that we have reached endgame in Schubert’s battle with the black angel. It was not quite his swansong, but within two months he was dead. But no darkness troubles the last carefree movement of this his last sonata, the interest never flags for a second and the unfettered outpouring of tunes can only amaze and astonish. Heard on its own late night, bathed in candlelight and with no other distraction has to be the best way to hear this magnificent sonata.