Schumann solo piano music

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Interesting -- can you upload it? It's hrd to find and I've never heard of her.

Here's her Amazon page with clips:



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[Bulldog]

I can't get into your beloved Schliessmann at all -- it's just the way it is I suppose.

Sorry to hear that.

[George]

DG will release a transfer of the LP next month in a big box called The Liszt Heritage.

That looks to be a fine set!

[B_cereus]

Recently I learned the Schumann Fantasie op17 and been slightly obsessed with it as you can imagine...

I have the Richter and the Bolet recordings... Please recommend me others thank you

[B_cereus]

Thanks Toucan.  I am not familiar at all with Horowitz's recordings so will definitely check it out.

I've also just downloaded Pletnev's as I quite like his idiosyncratic performance on YouTube.

[Mandryka]

Some beautiful Schumann comes from Fabienne Jacquinot. I bought her two CDs having read very strong recommendations of her recordings on a different forum:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumann-Symphonic-Etudes-Childhood-Papillons/dp/B001NQEZ8I/ref=sr_1_11?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1284776860&sr=8-11

There is another one where she plays the Carnaval and Davidsbundlertanze. These are among my favorite Schumann CDs.
I have both of her Schumann CDs, I'd attach a jpg, but somehow I seem unable to do so.

This is true. I've only just discovered her Davidsbündlertänze, because I found it on spotify. As far as I can see the other, with the Symphonic Etudes, isn't there yet.

By the way, there's a very nice record of Symphonic Etudes from Virssaldze, from a concert in Moscow in 2011 I think. It's downloadable from the russian site intoclassics.

[George]

If you like the music I think you'd do yourself a real favor by going back in time a little and seek out recordings by Sv Richter, Arrau (his early Carnaval), Horowitz (Kinderszenen), Rubinstein (Fantasiestucke, Carnaval) and Michelangeli. Oh, and Papillons by Sofronitsky and Yves Nat.

Since Rubinstein recorded Fantasiestucke and Carnaval at least a few times, which recordings do folks prefer?

[Oldnslow]

I  highly recommend the recent Schumann recital by Imogen Cooper on Chandos (Fantasiestucke and Kriesleriana), the first volume of the complete solo piano music of Schumann. 

[Holden]

Since Rubinstein recorded Fantasiestucke and Carnaval at least a few times, which recordings do folks prefer?

My favorite Fantasiestucke Op 12 recording of all time is this Rubinstein. It also, by chance, contains Carnaval.


It was remastered here but whether the sound is any better I don't know

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[Mandryka]

I have the remastered CD. It sounds good.

Talking of op 12, one really very special one is here:

[Brahmsian]

Looking for some recommendations on the great piano work, Carnaval, Op. 9

I have the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli 1975 recording, which is great.  This piece is so unique and could see a variety of approaches in playing this work.

What are some other recommended great recordings GMGers love? 

[George]

Cortot's is the one I most enjoy, Ray.

[Brahmsian]

Cortot's is the one I most enjoy, Ray.

Excellent, thanks for the recommendation, George!  I knew you would chime in within 5 minutes of my post. 

[George]

 

[Brian]

Since folks were talking previously about the Fantasiestucke, I'll chime in and say that I recently back-to-back compared Rubinstein (stereo) and Perahia, and my only conclusion was that the music was beyond fantastic and both performances left me feeling transported.  0:)

So far my favorite works are the Fantasie Op 17, Waldszenen, and Fantasiestucke. Favorite performances? Fantasie (Richter, Wurtz, Andsnes), Waldszenen (Richter), Fantasiestucke (Rubinstein, Perahia), Kreisleriana (Schuch). Would absolutely love recommendations for more.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Looking for some recommendations on the great piano work, Carnaval, Op. 9

I have the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli 1975 recording, which is great.  This piece is so unique and could see a variety of approaches in playing this work.

What are some other recommended great recordings GMGers love? 

I have Michelangeli's '75, too. I agree with you, it's fabulous. (I also have his '73 but it's nowhere near as good).

Other faves are Godowsky and Rachmaninoff, both from 1929 (in that Andante box). Neither are as serious as Michelangeli but they're just as perceptive to the mood swings in the music. It's really neck-and-neck though with Michelangeli. Of course 1929 means historic sound but the pianos are reproduced very nicely.

For stark contrast though to Michelangeli I really enjoy Egorov. He's the most poetic of all and his sense of a running narrative - despite the disparate nature of the work - is very strong. He's also one one of the best at whipping up a genuine carnival atmosphere. The recorded sound is better than any of the above, too.

I haven't heard Cortot's version but he's very reliable in Schumann. Very poetic despite the occasional flubbed note.

[Mandryka]

Have no living pianists done anything interesting with Carnival?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Since folks were talking previously about the Fantasiestucke, I'll chime in and say that I recently back-to-back compared Rubinstein (stereo) and Perahia, and my only conclusion was that the music was beyond fantastic and both performances left me feeling transported.  0:)

So far my favorite works are the Fantasie Op 17, Waldszenen, and Fantasiestucke. Favorite performances? Fantasie (Richter, Wurtz, Andsnes), Waldszenen (Richter), Fantasiestucke (Rubinstein, Perahia), Kreisleriana (Schuch). Would absolutely love recommendations for more.

I'd say next try to acquaint yourself with the Symphonic Etudes. Top-o-the-heap Schumann. The extroverted nature of the piece is unlike anything else in Schumann's output. But it's no mere showpiece. As with all Schumann's piano music it's the poetry that'll grip you.

I've grown to enjoy Pletnev's iconoclastic way with this piece. And his pianistic color is marvelous. Next would definitely be Richter, though. The piece really breathes under his touch.
 


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[Dancing Divertimentian]

Have no living pianists done anything interesting with Carnival?

I have Gavrilov's from 1989 (EMI). It has its stirring moments but it's missing the narrative of the others I've heard. I do like it, though. If it's possible give it a sampling.

[Mandryka]

I have Gavrilov's from 1989 (EMI). It has its stirring moments but it's missing the narrative of the others I've heard. I do like it, though. If it's possible give it a sampling.

I've never explored Carnival records much, it's somehow never grabbed me as much as Davidsbündlertänze or even the etudes.

Sofronitsky played it well - another dead pianist of course.