Davidsbundlertanze

Started by Mandryka, August 28, 2009, 04:42:11 AM

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Mandryka

I enjoy Gieseking's recording a lot. In fact, it's probably my favourite Giekeking performance. He never bangs even in the more bouncy pasages, and the lyricism in some of the dances towards the end -- 14 especially -- is beautiful.

I can see that Cortot is good, but the sound is not so great.

I don't enjoy Firkusny – I can't explain why. His performance doesn't involve me. I obviously have a problem with this pianist because I have the same reaction to his Overgrown Path.

Are there any distinguished modern recordings of this piece?

Epigraph from Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze:

In each and every age
joy and sorrow are mingled:
Remain pious in joy,
and be ready for sorrow with courage
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Bulldog

Quote from: Mandryka on August 28, 2009, 04:42:11 AM
I enjoy Gieseking's recording a lot. In fact, it's probably my favourite Giekeking performance. He never bangs even in the more bouncy pasages, and the lyricism in some of the dances towards the end -- 14 especially -- is beautiful.

I can see that Cortot is good, but the sound is not so great.

I don't enjoy Firkusny – I can't explain why. His performance doesn't involve me. I obviously have a problem with this pianist because I have the same reaction to his Overgrown Path.

Are there any distinguished modern recordings of this piece?


My eight favored versions: Gieseking, Cortot, Backhaus, Schein, Zacharias, Cooper, Kempff and Anda.  I pefer Backhaus most; he's entirely wild and unpredictable.  For the modern route, Ann Schein on Ivory Classics takes my breath away with her transcendent representation of Eusebius.

Scarpia

Quote from: Mandryka on August 28, 2009, 04:42:11 AM
I enjoy Gieseking's recording a lot. In fact, it's probably my favourite Giekeking performance. He never bangs even in the more bouncy pasages, and the lyricism in some of the dances towards the end -- 14 especially -- is beautiful.

I can see that Cortot is good, but the sound is not so great.

I don't enjoy Firkusny – I can't explain why. His performance doesn't involve me. I obviously have a problem with this pianist because I have the same reaction to his Overgrown Path.

Are there any distinguished modern recordings of this piece?

I also didn't like Firkunsy.  I only came to appreciate the piece when I head Pollini's recording.  I generally like Pollini's Schumann.  A minimum of wallowing, seems to find structure in the music where others don't.

Mandryka

#3
Quote from: Bulldog on August 28, 2009, 05:51:51 AM
I pefer Backhaus most; he's entirely wild and unpredictable.  

You can't do this to me -- I can't find it anywhere.

I know that wild side of Backhaus because I have just been listening to his early Paganini Variations. Quite a contrast from some of the maturer records.

Dog looks happy.

Quote from: Scarpia on August 28, 2009, 08:36:22 AM
I generally like Pollini's Schumann.  

I may give that a try. I like Pollini in concert, but I always feel that the DG records -- at least the ones I know -- are a bit flat sounding (e.g. the Chopin Nocturnes disc.) But I will give it a try.

It is interesting that we all feel a bit negative about Firkusny.
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Bulldog

Quote from: Mandryka on August 28, 2009, 09:31:19 AM
You can't do this to me -- I can't find it anywhere.


You not alone in failing to find the Backhaus Davidsbundlertanze.  I got my copy a few years ago on the Piano Library/Enterprise label.  The fluttering sound is close to awful, but Backhaus easily overcomes it.

If you're interested in a burned copy, pm me.  I'd be glad to ship you one.

Scarpia

Quote from: Mandryka on August 28, 2009, 09:31:19 AMI may give that a try. I like Pollini in concert, but I always feel that the DG records -- at least the ones I know -- are a bit flat sounding (e.g. the Chopin Nocturnes disc.) But I will give it a try.

The sound on early DG recordings of Pollini is often atrocious.  This is a relatively late recording which is acceptable.

Bulldog

Quote from: Scarpia on August 28, 2009, 02:25:34 PM
The sound on early DG recordings of Pollini is often atrocious.  This is a relatively late recording which is acceptable.


I found the sound on the Pollini/Davidsbundlertanze recording to be exceptional.  Unfortunately, Pollini's Eusebius wasn't quite that good.

Herman

Well, one of the best post-1970 recordings is Perahia on CBS. It's one of his first, long-hair recordings.

I'd like to mention that this is my favorite Schumann opus.

Scarpia

Quote from: Bulldog on August 28, 2009, 03:30:17 PM
I found the sound on the Pollini/Davidsbundlertanze recording to be exceptional.  Unfortunately, Pollini's Eusebius wasn't quite that good.

I would stop short of exceptional because it was too closely recorded for my taste.  Listening on headphones, sort of like your head is inside the piano.  But more satisfactory when listening with proper speakers.

Bulldog

Quote from: Scarpia on August 28, 2009, 03:41:29 PM
I would stop short of exceptional because it was too closely recorded for my taste.  Listening on headphones, sort of like your head is inside the piano.  But more satisfactory when listening with proper speakers.


Okay, although my "exceptional" comment was based on headphone listening.

Bulldog

Quote from: Herman on August 28, 2009, 03:32:44 PM
Well, one of the best post-1970 recordings is Perahia on CBS. It's one of his first, long-hair recordings.

I'd like to mention that this is my favorite Schumann opus.

Perahia's is a fine version, but I find him a little under-powering, low on angst and a little too elegant for my tastes.  For those wanting a "down and dirty" approach such as the Backhaus, Perahia is too cultivated.

Having said the above, Perahia is superlative in Movements 3, 7, 13, 14 and 15.

Mandryka

#11
Quote from: Herman on August 28, 2009, 03:32:44 PM

I'd like to mention that this is my favorite Schumann opus.

Yes -- I think it's mine as well -- though I am very fond of Kreisleriana too.

Did anyone here see tha Balanchine Ballet?  I've just ordered a video recording.
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Peregrine

Quote from: Herman on August 28, 2009, 03:32:44 PM
Well, one of the best post-1970 recordings is Perahia on CBS. It's one of his first, long-hair recordings.



Yes, I'm quite partial to that recording.
Yes, we have no bananas

Herman

Yesterday I found a Imogen Cooper recording of DBT on Ottava in a used bin. Let's see what that one's like...

Bulldog

Quote from: Herman on August 29, 2009, 04:42:15 AM
Yesterday I found a Imogen Cooper recording of DBT on Ottava in a used bin. Let's see what that one's like...

Good choice - I think you'll enjoy it.

Holden

I've got Kuerti and it sounds very good though this is a Schumann work I'm not very familiar with.
Cheers

Holden

Mandryka

#16
My neighbour is a Schumann fan and his preferred version is by Anatol Ugorsky.

He has lent me the CD and I have played it just once -- first impressions are positive, though it doesn't have the smooth plasticity of Gieseking. The lyrical movements are played really tenderly. And Ugorsky is a master of piano tones, and he's great at the quite, confidential style.

In the bouncy music he's very lively; there's a strong pulse -- as if they were dances you would actually dance to.


But -- there is something a bit ugly about the sound he makes when he plays crescendo.


I once read a comment on rmcr which said that DG put mikes right inside the body of the piano to try to capture the sound as it would actually appear to the pianist. Well my bet is that they have done this here and the result is a slight twang of wires.

But this is a small point really -- Ugorsky's good, interesting.
Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Herman

Quote from: Mandryka on August 29, 2009, 11:15:37 PM
I once read a comment on rmcr which said that DG put mikes right inside the body of the piano to try to capture the sound as it would actually appear to the pianist. Well my bet is that they have done this here and the result is a slight twang of wires.

I doubt this is the case. Typical internet gossip.

Mandryka

Balanchine wrote a ballet for Davidsbündlertänze and this is a VHS recording of a New Your City Ballet performance of it. Only on VHS as far as I know.

Well worth having. It's Balanchine so it's not exactly cutting edge -- but that's no hardship. Marvelous gestures involving the whole body. Simple inoffensive set and costimes. Piano accompaniment. Beautiful.

I'd love it if Pina Bausch or even Robert Wilson choreographed this -- but hell, Balanchine is great in his way, and these tänze make great dances.

Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

Herman

Quote from: Mandryka on September 06, 2009, 10:12:31 AM
Balanchine wrote a ballet for Davidsbündlertänze and this is a VHS recording of a New Your City Ballet performance of it. Only on VHS as far as I know.

Well worth having. It's Balanchine so it's not exactly cutting edge -- but that's no hardship. Marvelous gestures involving the whole body. Simple inoffensive set and costimes. Piano accompaniment. Beautiful.

I'd love it if Pina Bausch or even Robert Wilson choreographed this -- but hell, Balanchine is great in his way, and these tänze make great dances.

Baffling. Perhaps you're trying to say you like modern dance better than ballet. It's a bit like saying it's too bad Schumann didn't write for flute. Balanchine is arguably the greatest ballet choreographer of the twentieth century. DBT is a beautiful work of his, it's just not from his best years.