As a classical music fan, how often do you have the privilege of peering into the composing study of a great composer? Paul Badura-Skoda not only allows us to partake in the creative process of Schubert’s piano works, but also what he feels are the resulting essentials for playing these pieces—his booklet notes combine historical fact, analytic considerations and associations he makes based on the recorded music. This mixture of thoughts then come to life on this recording, for this is a pianist of real flesh and blood calling forth sounds rooted in deep knowledge of the repertoire, a performance which goes straight to the heart. This Schubert album truly contains “intimate readings” well worth devoting time to.