The fact that David Fray is French rather than German or Austrian, and the fact that Schubert, whose Moments Musicaux, Allegretto in C minor, and first set of Impromptus Fray plays here, wasnt a composer at the dawn of his career but at the twilight of his life, may put this disc out of contention for some listeners because it challenges preconceptions about who can play Schubert, as well as just who Schubert was. Theres no denying Fray has the effortless technique to play these pieces, though they are not the most difficult works in the repertoire. Theres no question that his weighty textures, deliberate tempos, and autumnal tone seem more suited to Brahms than to Schubert. What makes Frays Schubert convincing is neither his technique nor his tone, but the combination of the two, filtered through his acute sensibilities. Fray clearly believes that Schuberts late piano works reveal a composer obsessed with mortality (and Schubert had cause to be; hed been diagnosed with syphilis only a few years earlier), and his melancholy interpretations support his beliefs. This approach may not appeal to everyone; listeners who hope for Perahias sunny sparkle or Schiffs loving lyricism are not likely to appreciate it, but others may find Frays Moments Musicaux and Impromptus enthralling. Virgins digital sound is on the dark and heavy side, but it works for these performances.