Schumann solo piano music

[Mandryka]

Indeed. If one did not connect with the Etudes right off, then I'd guess the pianist would be to blame.

There was no subtext like that intended. Except that I find the last etude sometimes hard to bear. I always leave it out.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Let me know if you want me to let you have the Levy Etudes. Maybe we could have a better discussion when you're familiar with it.

Levy is a pianist for whom the score itself holds little meaning, at least in his Beethoven. The performance is all about the pianist. Which is fine if you enjoy that type of performance. I don't. A leopard can't change its spots. So as far as his Schumann, no thanks. 

Have you heard that 1955 recording?

All post-1950 Cortot I've heard validates the critical consensus. He's gassed by then. So I don't venture there anymore.

[Mandryka]

Levy is a pianist for whom the score itself holds little meaning, at least in his Beethoven. The performance is all about the pianist. Which is fine if you enjoy that type of performance. I don't. A leopard can't change its spots. So as far as his Schumann, no thanks. 

All post-1950 Cortot I've heard validates the critical consensus. He's gassed by then. So I don't venture there anymore.

I gather then that you have heard neither the Cortot nor the Levy. If so, let's not discuss them.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Because there's some coherence problem with DBT? Or what?

Thematically, structurally, whatever, the DBT isn't a top tier Schumann work. I and others ENJOY the piece of course but beyond that...

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I gather then that you have heard neither the Cortot nor the Levy. If so, let's not discuss them.

Please spare me the platitudes, Mandryka. I've moved beyond the need reopen bad memories of certain pianists at this point in my life.

If you feel justified in thrusting the eccentric on everyone then go ahead. But don't be surprised if you find opposition every once in a while.


 

[George]

There was no subtext like that intended. Except that I find the last etude sometimes hard to bear. I always leave it out.

Not sure how you know what Brian's subtext is here. Did he PM you?

This conversation thread, if you trace it, goes back to Brian stating that he didn't "get" the Etudes. My comment refers back to Brian's.

[Mandryka]

Not sure how you know what Brian's subtext is here. Did he PM you?

This conversation thread, if you trace it, goes back to Brian stating that he didn't "get" the Etudes. My comment refers back to Brian's.

Oh, I thought the subtext was being read into my comment about the way the text is problematic. My mistake.

[Mandryka]

Please spare me the platitudes, Mandryka. I've moved beyond the need reopen bad memories of certain pianists at this point in my life.

If you feel justified in thrusting the eccentric on everyone then go ahead. But don't be surprised if you find opposition every once in a while.

When you say eccentric, who defines the centre and how? Like you made some comment about my claim about DBT being eccentic, I responded that Charles Rosen would agree (I think.) So who were you thinking of?

[Sammy]

I'm a DBT fan too. Have been so for decades, and I think it's as cohesive as romantic era music gets.

Same here - it's my favorite major Schumann solo work.  That said, I wouldn't say it's better or worse than Schumann's other wonderful piano works.

I sure can't see anything eccentric about placing DBT among the top Schumann compositions.  Along with Carnaval, Sym. Etudes, Kreisleriana and Kinderszenen, it represents Schumann at the height of his creative powers. 

[Mandryka]

Same here - it's my favorite major Schumann solo work.  That said, I wouldn't say it's better or worse than Schumann's other wonderful piano works.

I sure can't see anything eccentric about placing DBT among the top Schumann compositions.  Along with Carnaval, Sym. Etudes, Kreisleriana and Kinderszenen, it represents Schumann at the height of his creative powers.

Recommend me some Carnival recordings Sammy.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

When you say eccentric, who defines the centre and how? Like you made some comment about my claim about DBT being eccentic, I responded that Charles Rosen would agree (I think.) So who were you thinking of?

Well, at this point Mandryka you've edited your previous posts so many times that what narrative was there has been totally obliterated. So picking things up now won't get me very far.

Maybe later when there's more time to open this huge can of worms...

[Mandryka]

Well, at this point Mandryka you've edited your previous posts so many times that what narrative was there has been totally obliterated. So picking things up now won't get me very far.

Maybe later when there's more time to open this huge can of worms...

I don't think I've edited much, I can't remember, I'm sure nothing substantial.  A spelling mistake maybe or something. I think I may have deleted something somewhere which was too agressive for this sort of discussion, where you can't see body language. When I use an ipad I make loads of mistakes.

[Sammy]

Recommend me some Carnival recordings Sammy.

For relatively modern recordings, the ones I've been enjoying the most lately come from Freire, Kubalek, Pescia and Aimard.

[Mandryka]

For relatively modern recordings, the ones I've been enjoying the most lately come from Freire, Kubalek, Pescia and Aimard.

Great. I've heard none of those. I like Kubalek's Brahms so I'm looking forward to trying that. Pescia is a complete new name to me.

[Todd]

Have no living pianists done anything interesting with Carnival?

Schuch and Collard come to mind. 

[Holden]

Two CDs that are absolute must haves IMO.



The Fantasie is excellent (though Fiorentino is better) and the other two are just amazing.

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Possibly one of the best Schumann recitals I've ever heard. I bought this the day I learned of Horowitz's passing so maybe this has coloured my judgement. His way with the Kinderszenen is just out of this world because he makes it sound so simple and child like.

[Brahmsian]

Two CDs that are absolute must haves IMO.

This is perhaps my favourite single solo piano music CD I have.  Especially the Fantasy in C and Papillons performance.

Just compared the Richter Papillons to Zacharias.  Much prefer Richter's approach.

[Brahmsian]

Actually, that disc was what convinced me that I hated Schumann piano music.  Then I listened to Pollini and saw the light.

Wow, we are polar opposites on this one. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I don't think I've edited much, I can't remember, I'm sure nothing substantial.  A spelling mistake maybe or something. I think I may have deleted something somewhere which was too agressive for this sort of discussion, where you can't see body language. When I use an ipad I make loads of mistakes.

Yes, agreed, it's sometimes difficult to convey true intent without the benefit of visuals. Anyway, interesting discussion and much to ponder.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Let me know if you want me to let you have the Levy Etudes. Maybe we could have a better discussion when you're familiar with it.

Well, okay, I got my Levy/etudes kick, Mandryka. It's on Youtube.

As charitable as I'd like to be I have to say this is the type of performance that makes me  .

Levy is exactly as I remembered him. I hear this as nothing more than an exercise in self-indulgence. Intentional swelling, distortions of line, exaggerated accents, numerous hesitations, the works. Schumann is completely left at the starting gate. Eccentric doesn't do justice to this interpretation. Mugging is more like it. 



http://www.youtube.com/v/wKuZ4jkW0sY