樂音III 傳奇名碟

有一張專輯是所有喜愛舒伯特音樂的朋友必須收藏的傳奇名碟。這張專輯發行超過半世紀，收錄了大提琴與鋼琴二重奏版本的舒伯特《琶音琴奏鳴曲》（Arpeggione Sonata, D. 821）與德布西大提琴奏鳴曲等經典作品。我們這邊先賣個關子，隨後會揭曉是哪一張專輯。
There is an album that every Schubert music lover must have in their collection—a legendary recording that has been available for over half a century. This album features a duet of cello and piano, featuring Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata (D. 821) and Debussy's Cello Sonata, among other classics. Let's keep it a secret for now and reveal which album it is later.

雖然這張專輯並非聲樂與鋼琴的組合，但舒伯特的器樂曲具有強烈的聲樂特質（不如說他的作品多具備這樣的特質），旋律優美，非常值得欣賞。
Although this album does not feature a combination of vocals and piano, Schubert's instrumental music possesses strong vocal qualities (in fact, many of his works do). The melodies are beautiful and truly worth appreciating.

發明於19世紀的琶音琴(Arpeggione)是大提琴與吉他的實驗綜合體：六條弦、琴格(大提琴沒有)、定弦與吉他相同；但外型像大提琴並需持弓演奏。 某種層面上，只要不是由作曲家指定的這種"已消逝樂器”的演出，演出都屬於改編版本。目前此曲常見的演出形式有大提琴、中提琴或長笛搭配鋼琴；鋼琴部份也可由吉他替代。
The arpeggione, invented in the 19th century, is an experimental hybrid of the cello and guitar: it has six strings, frets (which cellos do not have), and the same tuning as a guitar. However, it resembles a cello and requires a bow to play. In a way, unless the performer uses this "period instrument" as specified by the composer to play, it is considered an arrangement. Nowadays, this piece is commonly performed by a cello, viola, or flute accompanied by a piano, although the piano part can also be replaced by a guitar.

回到這張Decca錄音，羅斯特羅波維奇（Mstislav Rostropovich, 1927-2007）的精彩演奏自然是預料中的事，畢竟大師出馬，威力十足。然而，真正讓這張專輯成為經典的是鋼琴家布瑞頓——也就是英國作曲家班傑明·布瑞頓（Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976）本人。
Regarding this Decca recording, the stellar performance by Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007) was expected—after all, when a master takes the stage, the impact is profound. However, what truly makes this album immortal is the pianist Britten—none other than the British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) himself.

很難想像吧？這位20世紀英國最重要的作曲家，同時也是一位非常優秀的鋼琴家。或許因為布瑞頓的個人特質，也可能因為作曲家的身份讓他更了解作曲家想要什麼，這張專輯，尤其是舒伯特的奏鳴曲，每次聆聽都能讓人感動不已。
Hard to imagine, right? This leading 20th-century British composer was also an outstanding pianist. Perhaps it was Britten's personal traits, or maybe being a composer allowed him to understand exactly what other composers intended. Regardless, this album, particularly Schubert's sonata, never fails to move the listener with each hearing.


劉明睿博士, 台灣古典吉他家、作曲家、教育家 FB: mingjuiliuguitarist
Dr. Ming-Jui Liu, Taiwanese classical guitarist, composer, and educator