Search - Anton Bruckner, Wolfgang Brunner, Michael Schopper :: Bruckner: Piano Works

Really Rare Bruckner!!!...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 12/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the many freakish things about Bruckner--(who but he would have a Symphony No. 0 ?!)--is that, though he was a keyboardist who played piano, organ, and harmonium, he left posterity almost ZERO keyboard music! What a shame; of course, those huge symphonies and masses took a long time to score, etc.



Anyway, here we have a real rarity: Bruckner at the piano, played on an original Bosendorfer fortepiano c. 1830. One must appreciate the evolutionary transitional character of the instrument: half-way between harpsichord and modern piano: this instrument has leather covered hammers. When viewed in its own right, the instrument has a charming timbre. Also it has cute trick of a waxed paper pedal which can give it the curious buzzing sound of a paper & comb!



The pieces themselves consist of Biedermeier chamber dances (quadrilles) and 4-handed pieces for the daughters of the new bourgeoisie.



On the other hand, there are four pieces--though early--which suggest Bruckner's later ethos. The Sonata Movement in g runs over 7mins., and suggests a parallel with the symphonic Overture in g.



There is a lovely piece entitled, "Quiet Contemplation on an Autumn Evening" ["Stille Betrachtung an einem Herbstabend"] which suggests the later grand adagios of his symphonies.



There is a Fantasy piece which is contemporaneous with the mighty Mass in f.



Lastly, there is a piece called "Memory" ["Erinnerung"], also contemporaneous with the 3rd Mass.



Glenn Gould once said he had created a "playing version" of Bruckner's Eighth Symphony for piano, but heaven knows that'll never see the light of day; so, this disc is the best we've got."

Questionable choice of instrument

Peter Heddon | 07/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is more than a mere novelty:the dance pieces are pretty ordinary/crude but the Fantasia (1868)begins with the most deeply affecting of melodies and there's an air of Eric satie about the opening of 'stille betrachtung an....'

The sonata movement sounds a bit heavy going on this period instrument and the Errinnerung screams out for a concert grand.

Check out the complete works on BIS"