Thinking back on my own life as a musician; I realize that; had I been introduced by other musicians to such a radically different world as Schubert's; I should undoubtedly have shown less interest for him. In other words; how is it that a stream can move me so deeply; “moreover a stream of tears”? (Jelinek)

While I admire Schubert's simplicity; the natural flow; the endless melodies; the character both earthly and immaterial of his dances; his “poetry of timidity” (Genazino); I feel as though he is whispering all these things in my ear. I do realise that millions before me have heard and played his music; yet I still have this inexplicable feeling; concerning these “easy” sonatas now so dear to my heart; that I am the only one beside him to have understood the smallest details; the essence of their originality; enabling me to pass them on.

So I had the audacity of transcribing the small piano and violin sonatas (also known as sonatinas) into piano and clarinet sonatas. Affinity of mind and spirit with such a refined man and his music gave me confidence; hence a certain feeling of unpretentious self-esteem; such as is felt by happy people.

Reto Bieri